The aim of the course is to provide students with a solid understanding of the main internal medicine conditions, with particular attention to age-related brain structural and functional changes. The course also aims to foster students' ability to independently apply the acquired knowledge in everyday clinical practice. It will cover both the fundamental aspects of internal medicine and the cognitive decline associated with aging, distinguishing normal brain aging from pathological conditions. The course will provide the theoretical and practical foundations for the clinical management of both physiological and pathological cognitive impairment, with the goal of developing autonomous decision-making skills. By the end of the course, students are expected to demonstrate: knowledge and understanding of the core principles of internal medicine and cognitive deterioration; the ability to apply this knowledge in clinical practice; autonomy in clinical decision-making; appropriate communication skills for conveying theoretical and practical clinical information; the competencies required to approach more complex topics in the medical field.

Students must have successfully passed the exams of the previous years

The main internal medicine conditions will be presented, including metabolic and endocrine diseases, as well as diseases of the cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, and renal systems. For each condition, key aspects of pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and medical therapy will be provided. Additionally, the course will address major geriatric conditions, with particular attention to the aging process and functional reserves in the elderly, the concept of frailty, comprehensive geriatric assessment, malnutrition, dehydration and electrolyte imbalances. Topics will also include polypharmacy and the main geriatric syndromes, focusing on their definition and clinical management.

- In-person classes - Harrison - Manuale di Medicina . Edizione 2022 - Paziente anziano, paziente geriatrico e medicina della complessità. Fondamenti di gerontologia e geriatria.Edises 2020

Internal Medicine Main elements of the anamnesis Pathological history and recent history Drug history Family and social history Review of systems General physical examination Common diseases in internal medicine Heart failure Etiology, pathophysiology and classification of heart failure Clinical picture and diagnosis of heart failure Treatment of heart failure Arterial hypertension Measurement of blood pressure, pathophysiology and classification of arterial hypertension Clinical picture and diagnosis of arterial hypertension Treatment of arterial hypertension Dyslipidemias Pathophysiology and classification of dyslipidemias Clinical picture and diagnosis of dyslipidemias Treatment of dyslipidemias Diabetes mellitus Pathophysiology and classification of diabetes mellitus Clinical picture and diagnosis of diabetes mellitus Acute and chronic complications of diabetes mellitus Treatment of diabetes mellitus Renal failure Etiology, pathophysiology and classification of renal failure Clinical picture and diagnosis of renal failure Treatment of renal failure Pneumonia Etiology, pathophysiology and classification of pneumonia Clinical picture and diagnosis of pneumonia Treatment of pneumonia Respiratory failure Etiology, pathophysiology and classification of respiratory failure Clinical picture and diagnosis of respiratory failure Treatment of respiratory failure Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) Etiology, pathophysiology and classification of COPD Clinical picture and diagnosis of COPD Treatment of COPD Liver failure and its complications Etiology, pathophysiology and classification of liver failure Clinical picture and diagnosis of liver failure Treatment of liver failure and its complications Geriatrics 1. Aging and functional reserves in the elderly Definition of aging and its biological mechanisms Factors that influence aging (genetic, environmental, lifestyle) The concepts of functional reserve and frailty Evaluation of functional reserves in the elderly Strategies for maintaining functional reserves and promoting healthy aging 2. The concept of frailty Main characteristics of frailty in the elderly Risk factors and criteria for assessing frailty Frailty syndrome: definition, diagnosis and clinical implications Interdisciplinary approach to managing frailty in the elderly Interventions for the prevention and treatment of frailty 3. The multidimensional geriatric assessment (MGA) Objectives and tools of the MGA The five dimensions of the MGA: physical, mental, cognitive, functional and social Performance and reporting of the MGA Importance of the MGA in the global care of the elderly The MGA as a tool for planning interventions personalized 4. Malnutrition in the elderly Prevalence and causes of malnutrition in the elderly Risk factors for malnutrition Assessment of the nutritional status of the elderly Impact of malnutrition on the health and quality of life of the elderly Nutritional and support interventions for the management of malnutrition 5. Dehydration and dysionemia in the elderly Risk factors for dehydration and dysionemia in the elderly Pathophysiological mechanisms underlying dehydration and dysionemia Assessment of the hydration status and dysionemia Complications associated with dehydration and dysionemia Strategies for the prevention and management of dehydration and dysionemia.

Frontal lessons accompanied by iconographic material and scientific articles

The teaching material will be provided via the Teams platform, in the "File" section of the course channel.

Student learning will be assessed through an oral examination with the instructor, focusing on two topics discussed during the course. The evaluation criteria are as follows: EXCELLENT (30–30 with honors): outstanding knowledge of the topics, excellent command of language, and excellent analytical skills; the student is able to apply theoretical knowledge brilliantly to the proposed research project. VERY GOOD (27–29): good knowledge of the topics, notable language skills, and strong analytical abilities; the student is able to correctly apply theoretical knowledge to the proposed research project. GOOD (24–26): good knowledge of the main topics and adequate language skills; the student demonstrates an appropriate ability to apply theoretical knowledge to the proposed research project. SATISFACTORY (21–23): the student does not demonstrate full mastery of the main topics of the course but possesses the fundamental knowledge; language skills are satisfactory, and the ability to apply theoretical knowledge to the proposed research project is sufficient. PASS (18–20): minimal knowledge of the main topics and technical language of the course; limited ability to adequately apply theoretical knowledge to the proposed research project. FAIL: the student does not possess an acceptable level of knowledge of the course content.

La traduzione in inglese è: "This course explores topics that are closely related to one or more of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals."