Tuberculosis is a disease of global outreach that may affect the entire human body but is most commonly located in the lungs. Otorhinolaryngological manifestations of tuberculosis are rare, mostly occurring secondary to pulmonary disease but nevertheless represent significant diagnostic challenges. Nasopharyngeal tuberculosis is rare, representing around 1% of all upper air-way localizations and the most common presentation is in the form of adenoids. Tuberculous glossitis (oral tuberculosis) is even scarcer and may present in various clinical forms, usually mimicking a malignant neoplasm, or, less often, trauma or other infectious lesions. Oropharynx tuberculosis is usually misdiagnosed as hypertrophic chronic tonsillitis. We present four rare cases of ENT tuberculosis, primary adenoiditis and tonsillitis in a 13-year-old girl, a curious case of tuberculous glossitis in a 65-year-old woman, clinically diagnosed as a lingual neoplasm and two cases of tuberculous lymphadenopathy uncommonly located in the submandibular and supraclavicular regions. A comprehensive review of literature follows the case presentations. Tuberculous manifestation in the ear, nose and throat area remains a difficult diagnosis to establish, particularly because of its rarity and non-specific clinical appearance, and should be included in the differential diagnosis of pharynx lesions. An early diagnosis is essential to avoid occurrence of complications.

The functional sequelae grouped under the name “long COVID” most often bring the patient in front of a team of specialists in pulmonary rehabilitation. The aim of this study was to evaluate clinical features and paraclinical findings in patients with SARS CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Corona Virus-2) pneumonia and to also evaluate the impact of rehabilitation in this category of patients. This study included 106 patients diagnosed with SARS CoV-2. The division of the patients into two groups was performed based on the presence of SAR-CoV-2 pneumonia. Clinical symptoms, biochemical parameters, and pulmonary functional and radiological examinations were recorded and analyzed. The Lawton Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) scale was applied to all patients. Patients in group I were included in the pulmonary rehabilitation program. Among demographic characteristics, age over 50 years (50.9%; p = 0.027) and the female sex (66%; p = 0.042) were risk factors for pneumonia in patients with SARS CoV-2. Over 90% of the 26 patients included in the rehabilitation program were less able to feed, bathe, dress, and walk. After 2 weeks, approximately 50% of patients were able to eat, wash, and dress. It is important to provide longer rehabilitation programs in cases of moderate, severe, and very severe COVID-19 patients, in order to significantly improve patients’ participation in daily activities and their quality of life.

Currently, the treatment of malignant melanoma offers the longest and the most studied experience of innovative treatments in malignant pathology. The algorithm of the therapeutic decision in advanced or metastatic melanoma must comprise: the timing of the therapeutic initiation, the sequencing of the specific oncological treatment (radiotherapy and chemotherapy still being therapeutic alternatives in selected cases), the diagnosis and the management of adverse reactions. We present the case of a patient diagnosed with metastatic malignant melanoma in November 2019, who progressed successively under new systemic treatment throughout the 3 years of treatment and experienced skin reactions of various degrees of severity. The comprehensive response to secondary hilar pulmonary lymphatic determinations under subsequent chemotherapy was specific to the presented case. The occurrence of vitiligo secondary to immunotherapy is a favorable prognostic factor, but the occurrence of secondary cerebral determinations is an extremely severe prognostic factor in malignant melanoma and a challenge in making the therapeutic decision. Previous treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors may trigger a favorable response to systemic chemotherapy. The early and accurate diagnosis of the adverse events of the new therapies requires a multidisciplinary approach, because it can radically change the therapeutic decision.

Objectives: This study explores the importance of social factors, Social Determinants of Health (SDOH), particularly poverty, on patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), who developed gastroparesis. Among the analyzed cohort, 72% were classified as low-income. The analysis aimed to correlate social variables such as income, education, occupation, and loneliness with clinical outcomes and their impact on patients’ quality of life in terms of diabetic gastroparesis. Methods: From a larger cohort of 250 patients diagnosed with gastroparesis, we identified a subgroup of 50 patients with diabetic gastroparesis confirmed via gastric scintigraphy. We analyzed the demographic, clinical, and social variables including sex, age, place of residence, socioeconomic status, obesity, chronic alcohol consumption and tobacco use, and self-reported loneliness. Data collection was facilitated through a structured instrument using the software EpiInfo. Results: The majority of patients were obese females over 60 years of age, retired, and residing in rural areas. Loneliness emerged as a significant aggravating factor, contributing to neglect in self-care. The clinical presentation was often non-specific, masking the severity of the gastric dysfunction and complicating the disease management; in total, 92% of patients underwent upper endoscopy. Low income was associated with increased complications, frequent hospitalizations, and higher overall healthcare expenditure. Conclusions: Diabetic gastroparesis is a complex and underdiagnosed complication of T2DM, frequently worsened by social vulnerability. Low income, obesity, rural residence, and limited social support significantly contribute to the disease progression and poor quality of life. Greater emphasis on the SDOH is necessary to optimize outcomes and reduce the healthcare burden, hospitalization rates, and household and insurance expenses in this population.

Background: Lactose intolerance is a common gastrointestinal condition with variable clinical expression, often requiring both clinical and genetic evaluation. While genetic testing identifies genetic predisposition to lactase persistence or non-persistence, the relationship between specific LCT genotypes and clinical response to dietary intervention remains incompletely understood. Aim: To assess the association between LCT genotypes (CC, CT, TT) and symptom improvement following a lactose-free diet in an adult population and to explore the implications for clinical assessment. Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted including 538 adult patients evaluated for suspected lactose intolerance. Genotype distribution and its association with clinical response to a lactose-free diet were analyzed. Group comparisons were performed using chi-square and non-parametric tests, and logistic regression analysis was used to identify genotype-specific predictors of symptom improvement. Results: The CC genotype was the most prevalent (70.8%), followed by CT (22.9%) and TT (6.3%). No significant differences were observed between genotype groups regarding age, sex, or area of residence. A significant association was identified between LCT genotype and clinical response to lactose restriction (p < 0.001). CT carriers demonstrated the highest rate of symptom improvement (70.7%), followed by CC (43.8%) and TT (17.6%). Logistic regression analysis confirmed higher odds of improvement among CT carriers (OR = 11.28, 95% CI: 4.30–29.56, p < 0.001) and CC carriers (OR = 3.64, 95% CI: 1.47–9.00, p = 0.005) compared with TT individuals. Conclusions: LCT genotype was significantly associated with clinical response to a lactose-free diet. These findings suggest that genetic variation may contribute to differences in symptom response to dietary lactose restriction and support the use of genotypic information as a complementary component of clinical assessment. However, the observed variability in clinical outcomes across genotype groups highlights the multifactorial nature of lactose intolerance and indicates that genetic predisposition alone does not fully explain symptom expression or dietary response.

Background: Alcohol-related liver cirrhosis imposes a substantial clinical, functional, and psychosocial burden, significantly affecting patients' health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between disease severity, functional status, and HRQoL in patients with alcohol-related liver cirrhosis. Methods: This cross-sectional observational study included 144 adult patients with alcohol-related liver cirrhosis. Clinical, demographic, and laboratory data were collected, while HRQoL was assessed using the Short Form Liver Disease Quality of Life (SF-LDQOL) questionnaire. Disease severity was evaluated according to the Child–Pugh classification. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, Spearman correlation, the Kruskal–Wallis test, and multivariable logistic regression. Results: Most patients were classified as Child–Pugh A (75.7%), followed by Child–Pugh B (17.4%) and Child–Pugh C (6.9%). HRQoL was predominantly rated as fair or poor. Greater liver-related symptom burden and limitations in daily activities were significantly associated with poorer HRQoL. Patients with more advanced liver disease reported significantly lower HRQoL scores (p = 0.02), although impaired HRQoL was also observed in a substantial proportion of patients with compensated cirrhosis. In the multivariable analysis, social isolation remained independently associated with impaired overall HRQoL after adjustment for demographic and clinical characteristics. Conclusions: Health-related quality of life in patients with alcohol-related liver cirrhosis is influenced not only by disease severity but also by functional and psychosocial factors. Integrating patient-reported outcome measures with conventional clinical assessment may provide a more comprehensive evaluation of disease burden and support individualized multidisciplinary patient management.