| CODE | HSC5001 | ||||||||||||
| TITLE | An Introduction to Diabetes | ||||||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 05 - Postgraduate Modular Diploma or Degree Course | ||||||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 7 | ||||||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 10 | ||||||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Faculty of Health Sciences | ||||||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This study-unit provides a foundational introduction to the topic of diabetes and includes an overview of the pathophysiology, diagnosis, classification, epidemiology and screening for diabetes. It also includes an overview of the metabolic syndrome. Lectures and online learning based on case studies will be used as the mode of delivery. Study-unit Aims: The aim of this study-unit is to provide students with the knowledge and ability to identify the metabolic syndrome, pre-diabetes and the ability to classify diabetes in clients under their care. It should also provide them with the ability to understand the diagnostic methods and diagnostic criteria for the diagnosis of diabetes. It should provide students with the ability to identify sources of data and interpret data on epidemiological trends. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: a. Explain the symptomatology and diagnostic values for random blood glucose, fasting blood glucose, 2 hour post-load test, HbA1c on the basis of provided diagnostic criteria which establish the presence of pre-diabetes and diabetes; b. Describe the differences between different types of diabetes, including Type 1 and Type 2, idiopathic diabetes, LADA, MODY, mitochondrial diabetes, gestational diabetes, secondary diabetes and stress hyperglycaemia on the basis of provided case studies, in the context of international classification systems; c. Describe the difference between impaired fasting glucose and impaired glucose tolerance on the basis of established diagnostic criteria, correctly identifying the two; d. Explain the differences between prevalence and incidence of diabetes on the basis of definitions of the latter, correctly interpreting local and international data in relation to prevalence and incidence; e. Describe the pathogenesis of diabetes, by identifying mechanisms of dysfunction of insulin production and release and the role of different GLUT receptors in different organs in the development of insulin resistance; f. Analyse how obesity contributes to the pathogenesis of diabetes by making reference to the expression of GLUT receptors and beta cell function in obesity; g. Interpret epidemiological trends in the prevalence and incidence of diabetes on the basis of provided data at local and international levels; h. Understand the barriers and levers in the implementation of effective diabetes prevention strategies in a holistic effective and integrated healthcare system; i. Understand the impact of regional and population differences in access to healthcare; j. Discuss the need to establish equity in healthcare with reference to the social determinants of health. 2. Skills By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: a. Differentiate between normal blood glucose levels, pre-diabetes and diabetes on the basis of provided case studies, using established diagnostic criteria; b. Differentiate between different types of diabetes on the basis of provided case studies, using established diagnostic criteria; c. Identify gestational diabetes on the basis of provided case studies and international diagnostic guidelines; d. Identify the presence or otherwise of the metabolic syndrome and risk of development of diabetes, on the basis of provided case studies, using established diagnostic guidelines; e. Interpret and apply established diagnostic guidelines such as those by the American Diabetes Association and World Health Organisation, for provided cases studies; f. Estimate prevalence and incidence of diabetes on the basis of provided data at population level; g. Appraise strategies for the prevention and management of diabetes at local level, with reference to the National Diabetes Strategy 2016-2020 (Diabetes Steering Committee, Malta). Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Main Texts - American Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee; 2. Diagnosis and Classification of Diabetes: Standards of Care in Diabetes鈥�2025. Diabetes Care 1 January 2025; 48 (Supplement_1): S27鈥揝49. https://doi.org/10.2337/dc25-S002 - Calleja N., Azzopardi Muscat N., Reiff S., Fava S., Vassallo J., Torpiano J., Grixti M., Caruana M., Theuma R., Grixti M., Camilleri P., Zammit McKeon A. (2015) Diabetes: A National Public Health Priority; A National Strategy for Diabetes. Ministry of Health, Malta. Available online at: https://deputyprimeminister.gov.mt/en/Documents/National-Health-Strategies/NDS-EN.pdf - International Diabetes Federation. IDF Diabetes Atlas, 10th edn. Brussels, Belgium: International Diabetes Federation, 2021 - NICE (2022 ) Type 1 Diabetes in Adults: diagnosis and management Available online at: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng17/resources/type-1-diabetes-in-adults-diagnosis-and-management-pdf-1837276469701 - NICE (2022) Type 2 Diabetes in Adults: management Available online at: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng28/resources/type-2-diabetes-in-adults-management-pdf-1837338615493. Supplementary Readings - International Diabetes Federation (2006) The IDF consensus worldwide definition of the metabolic syndrome. Available online at: https://www.idf.org/e-library/consensus-statements/60-idfconsensus-worldwide-definitionof-the-metabolic-syndrome.html - International Diabetes Federation (2007) The IDF consensus worldwide definition of the metabolic syndrome in children and adolescents. Available online athttps://www.idf.org/e-library/consensus-statements/61-idf-consensus-definition-of-metabolic-syndrome-in-children-and-adolescents.html - WHO (2024) Guidance on global monitoring for diabetes prevention and control: Framework, indicators and application Available online at: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240102248. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture, Ind Study & Ind Online Learning | ||||||||||||
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| LECTURER/S | Mario J. Cachia Neville Calleja Ittar Christopher John Delicata Stephen Fava Charmaine Gauci Moira Grixti Julian Mamo Nikolai Pace Roberta Sammut Charles Savona Ventura Josanne Vassallo (Co-ord.) |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2025/6. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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