Background/Objectives: Ischemic heart disease (IHD) significantly affects mental health, with gender-specific differences being observed in psychological responses. This pilot study aimed to explore these differences in the demographic, clinical, psychological, psychiatric, and social profile of patients diagnosed with IHD. Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional design was used, recruiting 183 adult patients diagnosed with coronary artery disease and depression at the Psychiatry Department of Arad County Emergency Hospital, Romania, between May 2021 and May 2024. Data were collected using a self-developed tool, named the Depression Assessment in Ischemic Heart Disease Questionnaire (DA-IHDQ), alongside standardized assessments. Statistical analysis was performed using JASP statistical software (Version 0.19.1, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands), employing binomial and multinomial tests for categorical data, and Cronbach’s alpha was used to assess internal consistency. Results: This study found significant demographic differences, with female patients exhibiting higher levels of emotional distress and severe depression compared with the male subjects. Women reported greater social isolation and a stronger desire to seek for psychological or psychiatric support. Furthermore, a positive correlation between depression severity and physical symptoms was observed in both genders. Conclusions: These findings highlight the importance of recognizing gender-specific responses to IHD, emphasizing the need for tailored interventions in mental healthcare and cardiac rehabilitation. Future research should further explore these differences to enhance the understanding of the psychosocial/psychiatric aspects of IHD and improve patient outcomes.

Background: Football players require optimal nutrition and physical fitness to enhance their performance and maintain their health. Understanding the relationships among nutritional knowledge, dietary habits, physical health, and substance use in athletes is essential for developing effective strategies. This study investigates these factors in male football players aged 16–33 years. Methods: The study involved 60 male football players from three teams in Liga4Arad. A mixed-methods approach was used, incorporating a self-developed pilot questionnaire and internationally validated instruments. The reliability of the questionnaire was confirmed using Guttman’s λ2. The questionnaire assessed nutritional knowledge, eating habits, substance use, and physical health parameters, including body fat percentage and training frequency. Spearman’s correlation was used to analyze the data and explore the interrelationships between these factors. It is important to note that the pilot questionnaire used in this study was self-developed and not previously validated in this specific context. Results: Nutritional knowledge was positively correlated with healthier eating habits (ρ = 0.675, p < 0.001). Intensive training and higher physical activity levels were both associated with improved body composition and lower body fat (ρ = 0.341, p = 0.006). Supplement use was moderately correlated with alcohol consumption (ρ = 0.548, p < 0.001) and weakly correlated with smoking (ρ = 0.348, p = 0.007). Conclusions: The study highlights a strong relationship between nutritional knowledge and healthier eating habits among football players, as well as the significant role of frequent intense training in reducing body fat percentages and enhancing physical fitness. Additionally, the findings suggest a moderate association between dietary supplement use and alcohol consumption, underscoring the need for tailored interventions to address substance use and its impact on players’ health behaviors and performance.

Background/Objectives: Musculoskeletal symptoms, such as neck pain, back pain, and eye strain, are prevalent in modern work environments, particularly among individuals engaged in prolonged sitting and repetitive tasks. This study aimed to explore the prevalence of these symptoms and the impact of ergonomic tool usage, break frequency, posture awareness, and proactive measures on symptom intensity and daily functioning. Methods: This cross-sectional pilot study used a self-developed questionnaire to assess the prevalence and intensity of musculoskeletal symptoms among participants aged 6–18 years. The survey collected data on ergonomic tool usage, break frequency, posture awareness, and proactive measures (such as taking breaks and seeking professional help). Symptom intensity was assessed across common musculoskeletal issues. Internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach’s Alpha. Statistical analyses, including descriptive statistics, Chi-squared tests, ANOVA, and Spearman’s correlation, were used to identify significant correlations and associations between variables. Results: A significant proportion of participants reported moderate to severe symptoms, including neck pain, back pain, and eye strain. Participants who used ergonomic tools reported significantly lower symptom intensity (<0.001). A positive correlation was found between fewer breaks and higher symptom intensity (r = 0.908, p < 0.001). Those with higher posture awareness reported lower symptom intensity (p < 0.001). Proactive measures, including regular breaks and ergonomic interventions, were perceived as effective strategies for managing symptoms. Increased symptom intensity was associated with reduced ability to perform daily activities (p < 0.001). Conclusions: The study highlights the significant role of ergonomic tools, posture awareness, and regular breaks in mitigating musculoskeletal symptoms. Proactive measures, including structured interventions, can effectively reduce symptom intensity and improve daily functioning. These findings suggest that workplace health strategies focusing on ergonomics and posture education are crucial for reducing the impact of musculoskeletal discomfort on employee well-being and productivity.

Background/Objectives: Ischemic heart disease (IHD) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, and it is frequently associated with depression, which can negatively impact both clinical outcomes and quality of life. The relationship between IHD and depression is complex, with gender differences influencing the severity of depression and willingness to seek psychological support. This study aims to evaluate the prevalence and severity of depression in IHD patients using the Depression Assessment in Ischemic Heart Disease Questionnaire (DA-IHDQ) and to explore gender differences in depression severity and help-seeking behavior. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 103 patients diagnosed with IHD (62 males, 41 females), with data collected from two general practice clinics in Arad, Romania, between November 2023 and November 2024. Participants completed the DA-IHDQ, a self-developed questionnaire designed to screen for depression in IHD patients. The questionnaire categorizes depression severity into four grades: minimal to no depression, mild depression, moderate depression, and severe depression. The study also assessed participants’ interest in receiving psychological support. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were performed, and the psychometric properties of DA-IHDQ, including its reliability (Cronbach’s α = 0.957) and diagnostic accuracy (sensitivity = 90.0%, specificity = 98.8%), were evaluated. Results: Mild depression was the most common grade in both male and female IHD patients, while severe depression was the least prevalent. Males had a higher overall frequency of depression, with more cases of mild depression, whereas females had a higher proportion of moderate and severe depression. Additionally, males demonstrated significantly lower interest in psychological or psychiatric help, while females showed greater willingness to seek mental health support. The DA-IHDQ exhibited strong internal consistency and high diagnostic accuracy in identifying depressive symptoms in IHD patients. The DA-IHDQ exhibited strong internal consistency and high diagnostic accuracy in identifying depressive symptoms in IHD patients. Conclusions: The findings highlight the high prevalence of depression in IHD patients and the gender disparities in mental health engagement, emphasizing the need for targeted psychological interventions. The DA-IHDQ demonstrated strong psychometric properties and could serve as an effective screening tool for depression in IHD care. The DA-IHDQ demonstrated strong psychometric properties and could serve as an effective screening tool for depression in IHD care. Future research should explore the barriers to help-seeking among male IHD patients and develop gender-sensitive strategies to improve access to mental health services.

Background: This study investigates the association between depression and ischemic heart disease (IHD), conditions that often coexist and complicate patient management. Understanding the impact of demographic factors, risk factors, symptoms, and medical approaches in these patients is essential to develop effective clinical strategies. Objectives: The aim of this study is to investigate how demographic characteristics, risk factors, symptoms, and treatment methods differ between patients with depression alone and those with both depression and IHD. It seeks to identify how these factors influence patient outcomes, providing insights to improve management and treatment approaches for this complex patient group. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study included a sample of 332 patients diagnosed with depression, with a specific subgroup consisting of individuals who also had comorbid IHD. Statistical analyses were performed to compare the patients with depression, focusing on those with IHD. Data on demographic characteristics (e.g., gender, environment, social status), risk factors (e.g., hypertension, diabetes), symptom severity, and treatments (e.g., antidepressants, antipsychotics, anxiolytics, hypnotics) were analyzed. The study also evaluated the frequency of cardiac examinations and emergency hospitalizations. Results: Significant demographic differences were found between the two groups. Patients with both depression and IHD had higher rates of hypertension and diabetes mellitus and experienced more severe depressive symptoms, including reduced mood, energy, and activity levels. The treatment patterns were similar in terms of antidepressant use, but the IHD group had a higher use of antipsychotics, anxiolytics, and hypnotics. Additionally, these patients required more cardiac examinations and emergency hospitalizations. Conclusions: Comorbidity between depression and IHD presents complex clinical challenges, and it is crucial to implement an integrated management approach that addresses both mental and physical health. This study highlights the need for comprehensive therapeutic strategies to improve the quality of life and outcomes for patients with these coexisting conditions.

The link between the mind and cardiac disease has been studied throughout the ages. Patients diagnosed with ischemic heart disease may develop psychological and psychiatric symptoms such as depressed mood, anxiety, and insomnia that can drastically affect life quality. Unfortunately, during cardiac rehabilitation, there is a lack of psychiatric care. To improve a patient’s quality of life, this intriguing relationship between ischemic heart disease and depression must be closely monitored, because risk factors and pathophysiological mechanisms may be common. This case report article is about a 47-year-old Romanian woman with acute coronary syndrome revascularized with angioplasty and stent implantation 3 months ago, admitted to the Arad Emergency County Clinical Hospital, Psychiatric Department, with depressive symptoms. Our patient was treated with an antidepressant, an anxiolytic, a mood stabilizer, a hypnotic, a nootropic, aspirin, dual platelet inhibition, a beta-blocker, a converting enzyme inhibitor, a statin, and oral antidiabetics medication, as well as having psychotherapy sessions. The treatment was well tolerated, with an improvement in the social and professional functionality of the patient. In conclusion, people with ischemic heart disease have a higher risk of developing depression, but patients with depression also have a higher risk of developing ischemic heart disease. This confirms the importance of an individualized multidisciplinary approach to management because the collaboration between psychiatrists and cardiologists can be an additional benefit to patients. This article may pave the way for further research into the association between ischemic heart disease and depressive disorders, which could provide significant advantages to patients. Interdisciplinarity contributes to the development of innovative techniques of prevention and treatment, reducing worldwide morbidity and mortality.