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(1) Background: Clostridioides difficile (C. difficile) and SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus represent significant health threats. Our study focused on the impact of concurrent infections on patient outcomes against the backdrop of changes imposed by the pandemic. (2) Materials and methods. We performed a retrospective analysis and included patients diagnosed with CDI who were admitted in our hospital before and during the pandemic. We compared patient exposure to risk factors for CDI in both groups and patient negative outcomes: need for ICU care, prolonged hospitalization, organ failure, toxic megacolon, and death. (3) Results. Overall, 188 patients were included, of which 100 had CDI (the pre-pandemic group), and 88 patients presented both CDI and COVID-19 (the pandemic group). Patients in the pandemic group were significantly older, with a higher Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) and a greater exposure to antibiotics and corticosteroids, and were more likely to develop organ dysfunction, to require ICU care and have prolonged hospitalization. The severity of COVID-19, leukocytosis and increased D-dimer levels were indicators of poor prognosis in the pandemic group. Higher CCI scores and leukocytosis increased the risk for negative outcomes in CDI alone patients. (4) Conclusions. The study highlights the negative impact of associated infections on patient outcome. The severity of COVID-19 directly influences the prognosis of patients with concurrent infections [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and metabolic syndrome (MetS) are two closely related diseases, that consist mainly in excess fat accumulation in the liver. They share many risk factors and pathophysiological mechanisms. Metabolic risk factors include obesity, altered glucose metabolism, hypertension and dyslipidemia. Objective: The aim of the study was to compare risk factors of metabolic syndrome and non- alcoholic fatty liver disease in our clinic. Material and methods: A retrospective observational study was performed, including 60 patients diagnosed with NAFLD. The patients were admitted to the gastroenterology department of the "Mures County Clinical Hospital" in Targu Mures, Romania, from January 2023 to December 2023. Included were patients with a secured NAFLD diagnosis above the age of eighteen. The patients were grouped into two study groups: positive for NAFLD and positive for NAFLD and MetS. Excel and Jamovi were used for the statistical analysis. Results: No statistically significant differences were found in the demographic comparison of the study groups (age, gender, environment). The presence of metabolic risk factors was significantly higher in the group including MetS diagnosis, compared to the NAFLD only group: overweight/obesity (92,9% vs 58,7%, p=0.01), diabetes mellitus (78,6% vs 4,3%) or impaired fasting glucose (21,4% vs 4,3%) with p<0.001 and hypertension (100% vs 58,7%, p<0.01). Patients with NAFLD and metabolic syndrome either had three (57,1%) or all four (42,9%) of the risk variables listed (p=<0.001). 8,7% of the NAFLD group showed three risk factors, 45,7% showed two, 34,8% showed one, and 10,9% showed no metabolic risk factor (p<0.001). No significant differences were found in the analysis of various laboratory values and when comparing pulmonary, renal, neurological, oncological comorbidities. Conclusions: In addition to having an impact on the diagnosis of MetS, metabolic risk factors also typically influence, albeit to a lower degree, the development of NAFLD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Liver cirrhosis is a result of chronic damage to the liver which will cause scaring and fibrosis, ultimately leading to irreversible damage if it is not resolved or treated in the early stages, where it is still reversible if the harming agent factor is eliminated. Due to the ability of the liver to compensate even when damaged, the diagnosis of the disease is often late, leading to difficulty in treating. Therefore, the treatment consists in preventing cirrhosis and death. The only curable treatment option for patients remains with liver transplant. Material and methods: This study tries to focus on different aetiologies of liver cirrhosis and the associated complications they carry with them and whether there is any exclusivity to an aetiology when it comes to complications.This retrospective study includes 60 patients admitted to the Gastroenterology department of Mures county clinical hospital of Targu Mures, Romania, between the 01.01.2023 and 01.01.2024. The inclusion criteria consist in patients being above 18 years and diagnosed with liver cirrhosis, including all aetiologies presented to the clinic. Results: Most of the patient's diagnosis are caused solely by chronic alcoholic intoxication (44/60), whereas some patients suffer from viral Hepatitis B and C, also combinations of the mentioned aetiologies are present, which present with a significant increase in abnormal blood values.From the included patients, 3 patients died during their stay, where toxic liver cirrhosis caused by alcohol seemed to be the causing factor among other comorbidities. Worth mentioning is that 2/3 of the deceased patients were males and 2/3 below 60 years of age.Most of the patients are male (49/60) and above 60 years of age (35/60). Conclusions: Most of the patient diagnosed with liver cirrhosis in our clinic where due to chronic alcohol consumption, with comorbidities such as chronic cardiac and pulmonary diseases as well as diabetes and obesity. Patients' death was associated with chronic alcohol consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]