Ateneo - UPO

The main contents of the course are the description of the causes, pathophysiology, clinical aspects and diagnostic-therapeutic pathways of relevance of the main endocrinological and metabolic diseases important for professional education. Particular and topical aspects will also be described: endocrinopathies due to infectious and environmental causes, consequence of the administration of special drugs, reception / care / support of diabetic patients, chronic disabilities, aging, diet patterns. The didactic contents of the course have been selected on the basis of the prevalence criteria of the
disease in the territory, of possibility of intervention, severity and disability, and exemplary teaching.

Camanni F. and Ghigo E Malattie del sistema endocrino e del metabolismo. Centro Scientifico Editore, III° edizione,
Torino 2001.
Patricia E Molina. Fisiologia Endocrina. Lange Physiology Series (McGraw-Hill)

The aims of the endocrinology course are to illustrate the role of the endocrine-metabolic system in the control of the general functions and balance of the individual, focusing on the main diseases and syndromes of the endocrine system and glycolipid metabolism, their epidemiology, the pathophysiological basis, the clinic and hints of therapy.

The required knowledge includes notions of biochemistry, anatomy, human physiology, general pathology.

Lectures with projection of slides, discussion of clinical cases and articles of the international literature relevant to the aims of the course, use of handouts.

If needed, in-depth sessions preparatory to the exam will be offered, to be agreed directly with the lecturer. 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. Gender mainstreaming: approaches to grant equal benefits in actions and activities for women and mens and for eliminating gender inequalities.

In order to evaluate knowledge and understanding, applied knowledge and understanding, autonomy of judgment, communication skills, learning skills, the assessment will be organized through a multiple choice written exam consisting of 25 questions (passed with 15 correct answers equivalent to 60%) as follows:
Maximum time: 30 minutes
Evaluation criteria:
- 25-30 points if exhaustive answer, knows the problems and knows how to correctly manage the educational and rehabilitation needs.
- 18-24 points partially exhaustive, partially knows the problems and knows how to partially manage their educational and rehabilitation needs correctly.
- < 18 points if not exhaustive, does not know the problems and does not know how to properly manage the educational and rehabilitation needs.

General mechanisms of endocrine-metabolic pathophysiology. Mechanisms of hormonal action (classes of hormones and hormone receptors, termination systems of hormonal action). Hypothalamic-pituitary axis. Pathophysiology of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis. Secreting and non-secreting pituitary adenomas. Posterior pituitary, Diabetes insipidus. Thyroid: Hypothyroidism, Hyperthyroidism, endemic and sporadic Goiter, The thyroid nodule, Thyroiditis, Thyroid tumors Adrenals: Hypoadrenalism, Hypercorticoadrenalism. Gonads: Pathophysiology of testicular function and ovary, Pathophysiology and clinic of male and female hypogonadism Endocrine pancreas. Pathophysiology and clinic of diabetes mellitus. Metabolic syndrome. Phospho-calcium homeostasis: Pathophysiology of phospho-calcium homeostasis, Hypoparathyroidism and Primary and secondary hyperparathyroidism, Postmenopausal osteoporosis. Endocrine regulation of body weight and Obesity. Chronobiology and endocrine system. Endocrine problems with different etiopathogenesis.

Knowledge and understanding: At the end of the course the student must learn to recognize, describe, diagnose the most common endocrine-metabolic diseases inserted in a context of chronic diseases with pluri-morbidity and morbidity. Ability to apply knowledge and understanding: It is essential that the student learns the correct modalities of clinical reasoning in Endocrinology, applying the method of differential diagnoses.