Laboratory Medicine

Laboratory medicine is the medical discipline devoted to obtain, explore and

employ knowledge about using various techniques for the analysis of body fluids
composition and properties of cells and tissues, and interpretation of the results
in relation to health and disease. It is both the clinical discipline and the separate
medical science.Laboratory tests are used in various stages of the diagnostic
process in all fields of clinical medicine, being along with imaging studies,
electrophysiological and other procedures the main source of information on the
health status of the patient. In addition to routine diagnostics in symptomatic
patients, laboratory tests are used for screening, treatment monitoring and
medical jurisprudence. Laboratory medicine combines the application of
theoretical knowledge to perform complex procedures on blood samples, urine,
body fluids and tissue specimens with the use of sophisticated instruments, and
techniques. To run different analysis laboratory medicine uses many methods
based on chemistry, biophysics and immunology rules. Laboratory medicine is
also a clinical science of a specific nature resulting from its location "across" all
other clinical disciplines. Laboratory tests are an essential diagnostic tool, or the
subject of numerous experimental, clinical and epidemiological studies.
Laboratory medicine by its nature integrates the basic science, technical
performance and clinical context for patient decision making but as the science
provides a general rules of selection of tests for specific research tasks.
Laboratory medicine creates also the rules of analysis and interpretation of the
results and for evaluation of the diagnostic performance of laboratory tests. All
clinical practice guidelines developed for the use of laboratory tests should be
based on evidence-based laboratory medicine (EBLM) rules.

Teachers:

1. prof. dr hab. n. med. Grayna Odrow-Sypniewska

2. dr n. med. Magdalena Krintus
3. dr n. med. Aneta Makowska-Cyl
4. mgr Lena Nowak-o
5. dr n. med. Joanna Pollak
6. dr n. med. Agnieszka Pater

Contact: dr n. med. Joanna Pollak asiapollak@wp.pl

Syllabus
I. Department of Laboratory Medicine
II. Head of the unit: Prof. Grayna Odrow-Sypniewska, Ph.D.
III. Faculty of Medicine, Medical Program, 3rd year, 6th semester (spring)
IV. Course coordinator: Prof. Grayna Odrow-Sypniewska, Ph.D.
V. Assistants : Magdalena Krintus PhD, Aneta-Mankowska-Cyl PhD, Lena
Nowak-o MSc, Joanna Pollak PhD, Agnieszka Pater PhD, Anna Stefanska
PhD
VI. Form of classes: lectures, practical courses
VII. Form of crediting: Exam, 4 ECTS points
VIII. Number of hours: 20 (lectures), 40 (practical courses)
IX. Aim of the course:
Lectures

To give the students a comprehensive introduction of basic

application of

chemical, molecular and cellular concepts and techniques to the

understanding and

evaluation of human health and disease, a comprehensive

understanding of those

elements of biochemistry, immunology and hematology which are

important to the

role of a medical doctor, to disseminate information on best

practice at

various levels of technology, and the quality of diagnosis and therapy

for patients. Practical courses

Students should get familiar with the influence of pre-laboratory and

preanalytical

phase on the laboratory test result, present technologies available for

biochemistry,

immunochemistry, hematology, coagulation, therapeutic drug

monitoring and

urinanalysis as well as with some practical skills using point-of-care

devices and

tests. Interpreation of laboratory test results will be disscussed.

Organization and

management of medical laboratory will be presented.

General learning outcomes

To be aware of the laboratory methods available to examine

deviations in the
 biological systems and to be able to interpret the data obtained. To
appreciate the

common disorders of each of the systems in the human.

Topics of lectures / practical courses:

Lectures:

1. Cardiovascular diseases : laboratory investigation (dyslipidemia, metabolic

syndrome, acute coronary syndromes -current guidelines).
2. Laboratory diagnosis of hypertension and kidney diseases (kidney stones),
consequences of vitamin D deficiency.
3. Diabetes (type 1, type 2, diabetic complications, gestational diabetes,
hypoglycemia, current guidelines).
4. Pathology of endocrine organs- thyroid (laboratory investigation), adrenals
(HPA axis laboratory investigation), pituitary (acromegaly and
prolactinoma, IGF, hypopituitarism), gut including endocrinology (gut
hormones- laboratory investigation, coeliac disease/malabsorption)
5. Laboratory diagnosis of metabolic bone diseases (osteoporosis) and some
systemic connective tissue diseases (rheumatoid arthritis). Autoimmune
diseases.
6. Laboratory diagnosis of liver diseases : dysproteinemia, enzymology
(current guidelines), hepatitis etc.
7. Laboratory diagnosis of disorders of the respiratory system (laboratory
tests in the investigation of chest disease), allergic diseases.
8. Biochemical diagnosis/ monitoring of different cancer diseases
9. Laboratory diagnosis of anemias, coagulopathies, myeloproliferative
diseases, hematochromatosis.
10.Laboratory diagnosis of body fluids and electrolytes.

Practical courses:

1. Organization of modern medical laboratory (analytical platforms, LIS,

internal and external QC). Communication between laboratory staff and
medical staff. Introduction into the pre-laboratory and preanalytical
phase . Screening tests (neonatal and adult screening).
 2. Laboratory diagnosis of dyslipidemia (lipids, apolipoproteins, hsCRP).
Interpretation of lab tests results (hyperlipoproteinemias, metabolic
syndrome). Biomarkers of acute coronary syndromes; interpretation of
results.
3. Markers of liver diseases : (hepatitis etc). Determination of enzyme activity
(current guidelines).
4. Laboratory diagnosis of diabetes and pancreas function. Interpretation of
lab tests results. Glucometers and other POCT devices.
5. Laboratory markers of hypertension (BNP etc.) and kidney diseases.
Interpretation of results.
6. Laboratory diagnosis of metabolic bone diseases and some systemic
connective tissue diseases (inflammatory markers, autoantibodies).
Autoimmune diseases. Interpretation of results.
7. Laboratory diagnosis of disorders of the respiratory system, allergic
diseases.
8. Tumour markers and their clinical utility.
9. Laboratory diagnosis of thyroid disorders, hormonal disorders.
10.Hematology : red and white cell development, blood cell count and blood
smears. Laboratory diagnosis of anemias and leukemias.
11.Blood coagulation parameters.
12.Laboratory diagnosis of body fluids.
13.Intensive care (acid-base equilibrium etc). Disorders of water-electrolyte
balance.
14.Blood serology.
15.New technologies : capillary electrophoresis, HPLC, biochips

Self-study topics:

Laboratory diagnosis of inborn metabolic disorders (amino acids, lysosomal

storage, mitochondrial disorders, carbohydrates), porfirias, Wilsons disease.

Booklist:

Essential reading:

1. Marshall WJ. Bangert SK. Clinical chemistry, 6 th edition 2008. Mosby. ISBN
9780723434559
 2. Fraser CG. Biological variation: from principles to practice. 2001, AACC
press. ISBN 1-890-88349-2

3. Fischbach F, Dunning MB . A manual of laboratory and diagnostics tests.

Lippincott Williams &Wilkins 8th edition, 2010. ISBN 9781451108743

4. Guder w. Samples:from the patient to the laboratory. 2nd edition 2001. GIT
Verlag ISBN 3-928-86531-5 *

5. Gaw A et al Clinical biochemistry: An illustrated colour text 4th edition

2008, Churchill Livingstone. ISBN 0-443-06932-8

6. Kellerman GM. Abnormal laboratory tests results. 2 nd edition 2006, McGraw

Hill Medical ISBN 9780074715864

7. Anderson SC, Poulsen KB. Andersons electronic atlas of hematologic

disorders. Lippincott Williams &Wilkins 2003. ISBN 9780781726450

8. Anderson SC, Poulsen KB. Andersons atlas of hematologic disorders.

Lippincott Williams &Wilkins 2003. ISBN 9780781726627

9. Brunzel Nancy A. Fundamentals of urine and body fluid analysis.Second

Edition, Elsevier 2004 ISBN

10. Bayes-Genis A, Januzzi JL. NT-proBNP as a biomarker in cardiovascular

diseases. Prous science 2008. *

Additional:

Students should read any relevant recent review articles from :

Annals of Clinical Biochemistry

Clinical Chemistry

Clinical Biochemistry

Eur J Clin Investigationq

www.labtestonline.uk
Detailed list of required practical skills and confirmation of completing:

Name:

Year of study:

Group:

Academic year: Third

Date Confirmation of Notes

completing

Broad knowledge of the use

of laboratory tests for
screening, diagnosis,
prognosis and monitoring of
treatment and test results
interpretation. Practical
experience in some of the
techniques and procedures
used in medical laboratory.

Rules and regulations

Department of Laboratory Medicine

Head of the unit: Prof. Grayna Odrow-Sypniewska, Ph.D.

Credit form of coursework:

1. The coursework consist of lectures and practical courses from laboratory

medicine.

2. The coursework is ended with the Final Exam .

Credit form of colloquium:

Three colloqiuas

Form of exam:

The coursework will be passed according to scores of the Final Test.

Rules of make-up the unjustified classes missed:

Two lectures may be missed, one practical course may be missed

Deadline to deliver elaboration, raports or different forms required in the unit:

No concern

General and detailed Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations

required during teaching programme in the unit:

Students are oblidged to comply with general Safety regulations in the

laboratory (appendix)