To provide students with the fundamental theoretical and clinical knowledge necessary to understand the main internal medicine and geriatric conditions, with particular attention to pathophysiological, diagnostic, therapeutic, and prognostic aspects relevant to rehabilitation practice. The educational objectives include the ability to recognize the signs and symptoms of the most common diseases in adults and older individuals, to understand the impact of acute and chronic conditions on function and autonomy, and to collaborate effectively within a multidisciplinary team in the management of complex and frail patients.
Course Prerequisites
Adequate knowledge of anatomy, physiology, general pathology, and pathophysiology is required as a prerequisite in order to enable students to understand the mechanisms underlying the main clinical conditions addressed during the course.
Teaching Methods
Lectures, clinical cases
Assessment Methods
Written or oral exam
Contents
The course content includes the study of major internal medicine and geriatric conditions such as osteoporosis, atherosclerosis, anemias, venous thromboembolism, arterial hypertension, delirium, chronic kidney disease, immobility, malnutrition, peripheral arterial occlusive disease, and atrial fibrillation. For each condition, the fundamental aspects of definition, epidemiology, etiology, pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, diagnostic approach, prognosis, and principles of therapy will be discussed, with particular emphasis on functional consequences and rehabilitation implications.
The course also addresses the main diseases of the respiratory system, including basic concepts of respiratory pathophysiology such as hypoxemia, hypercapnia, restrictive and obstructive syndromes, and principles of oxygen therapy. Specific conditions covered include bronchial asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, bronchiectasis, infectious pneumonia, and pulmonary embolism. Major cardiovascular diseases are also examined, including ischemic heart disease, arterial hypertension, dyslipidemia, peripheral arterial disease, deep vein thrombosis, acute and chronic heart failure, ischemic stroke, and syncope.
In addition, the course covers the principal endocrine, renal, immuno-rheumatologic, hematologic, gastrointestinal, and infectious diseases, with particular attention to those conditions that have a significant functional impact and to their management in older and multimorbid patients. A dedicated section is focused on the principles of gerontology, the biology and theories of aging, age-related physiological changes, and the most common clinical presentations of disease in older adults, such as falls, acute confusional states, adverse drug reactions, edematous syndromes, acute vascular events, dyspnea, and urinary incontinence.
Course Language
Italian
More information
The teacher receives students by appointment. E-mail address: francesco.dentali@uninsubria.it
