Ateneo - UPO

The main contents of the course are the description of the pathophysiology of the endocrine system and of the main endocrine-metabolic diseases, finalizing the content to the target of laboratory medicine. The content of the lessons favors the relationship between the physiology of hormonal secretion and laboratory methods aimed at revealing endocrine pathologies vs pseudo-pathological conditions.
The course contents are divided as follows:
- General pathophysiology of the endocrine system
- Neuroendocrine tumors including hypothalamic-pituitary pathologies
- Benign and malignant thyroid and parathyroid disorders, osteoporosis
- Adrenal disorders
- Gonadal diseases on a genetic and organic basis
- Obesity and diabetes mellitus.

Camanni - Ghigo. Malattie del sistema endocrino e del metabolismo. Edi Ermes, IV Edizione
Diapositive d'insegnamento della disciplina

The module aims to make students prepared for the most important endocrine-metabolic diseases that are commonly found in clinical practice. Some basic etiological, diagnostic and therapeutic notions of these pathologies will be provided, emphasizing the role of the laboratory for each one.
The teaching aims to:
- offer the basic notions on the role of hormones and secretory and non-secretory endocrine-metabolic diseases, in the field of laboratory medicine
- encourage critical and constructive reasoning on conditions relevant to hormone dosage and pre-, intra- and post-analytical situations that can alter the results
- identify the link between apparently separate conditions
- reflect on the problems of the discipline.

To follow the teaching successfully, the student must have the essential knowledge of anatomy, chemistry, biochemistry and physiology.

To follow the teaching successfully, the student must have the essential knowledge of anatomy, chemistry, biochemistry and physiology.

Students with physical disabilities, Learning Disabilities or Special Education Needs can request
specific services and tools via the Staff Sviluppo e Coordinamento Carriere e Servizi alle Studentesse

e agli Studenti, consulting the University webpage: https://www.uniupo.it/en/services/services-
students-physical-or-learning-disabilities

Students with disabilities, learning disabilities or special education needs, once they have contacted
the University Staff, can refer to the tutor in charge of the course to define the examination
modalities, concerning academic aspects.

Multiple choice written test, the passing of which is based on:
- showing acquired knowledge
- ability to solve problems consistent with the training activity and the future professional figure
- use of appropriate language, critical thinking, verification of the degree of attention and learning achieved in class.

• General notions on the organization of the endocrine system
o Organization and function of the endocrine system
o Concept of hormone and receptor
o Regulation of hormonal synthesis and secretion
o General pathology of the endocrine system
• The hypothalamus-pituitary system
o Concept and function of adenohypophysis and neurohypophysis (anatomy, concept of axis and feedback, innervation, secretion)
o Tumor and non-tumor hypothalamus-pituitary secretory and non-secretory pathologies (micro- and macroadenomas, psychogenic and iatrogenic forms, pituitary hormone excess or deficiency syndromes)
o Neuroendocrine tumors and multiple endocrine neoplasms.
• Thyroid and Parathyroid
o Notes on thyroid anatomy and physiology (hormone synthesis process, action of thyroid hormones)
o Hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism: etiopathogenesis, clinical and diagnostic investigations
o Thyroid tumors, molecular markers, cytological markers
o Phospho-calcium metabolism
o Hypoparathyroidism and hyperparathyroidism
o Osteoporosis
• Adrenals
o Hyper- and hypoadrenalism
o Pheochromocytoma and endocrine hypertension
• Gonadi
o Pathophysiology
o Aetiopathogenesis, clinical and laboratory diagnosis of hypogonadism and amenorrhea on a genetic and organic basis
o Ovarian and extraovarian causes of hirsutism
• Diabetes mellitus and alterations of the endocrine pancreas
o Clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic framework (classification, pathogenesis, pathophysiology, clinical picture, diagnosis and therapy)
o Acute and chronic diabetic complications (ketoacidosis, coma, micro- and macroangiopathy, neuropathy).
o Hypoglycemic syndromes
• Obesity and thinness
o Physiopathology of adipose tissue (subcutaneous and visceral fat deposits, concept of metabolism and energy expenditure, adipocytokines)
o Obesity and metabolic syndrome
o Anorexia and thinness.

It is essential that the student learn the correct methods of reasoning in Endocrinology and Metabolism with a laboratory approach. The goal is therefore to increase the skills in understanding the basic diagnostic, clinical and therapy bases of the most important endocrine-metabolic pathologies commonly found in practice, learning to define their implication in laboratory medicine.