Iron deficiency (ID) is the most prevalent micronutrient deficiency globally, affecting approximately one in four individuals, with a particularly high burden among children, women of reproductive age, and populations in low- and middle-income countries. It contributes significantly to the global burden of disease, with consequences ranging from impaired cognitive and motor development in children to increased risks during pregnancy, including low birth weight, preterm delivery, and maternal mortality, as well as reduced physical performance and quality of life in adults. ID often precedes iron deficiency anemia (IDA), though clinical and functional impairments—such as cognitive deficits, immune dysfunction, and fatigue—can occur even in the absence of anemia. Despite its widespread nature, challenges remain in precisely defining, diagnosing, and treating ID effectively. Advances in diagnostic tools allow for earlier detection, while novel therapeutic strategies, including updated oral dosing regimens and modern intravenous iron formulations, offer improved efficacy and tolerability. These approaches are particularly valuable in minimizing gastrointestinal side effects and enhancing patient adherence. This review is based on a comprehensive literature search conducted primarily through PubMed and Scopus, emphasizing studies published within the past 10–15 years. It is thematically structured to explore the epidemiology, health consequences, diagnostic complexities, and therapeutic developments related to ID. It highlights the multifactorial nature of ID and underscores the urgent need for early identification, targeted interventions, and updated clinical guidelines to reduce the long-term health and societal impacts of this preventable and treatable condition.

Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), which enhances osteoclast activity and bone resorption, is one of the key inflammation mediators in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The aim of this study was to assess the influence of yearlong TNF-α inhibitor application on bone metabolism. The study sample comprised 50 female patients with RA. Analyses involved the osteodensitometry measurements obtained using a “Lunar” type apparatus and the following biochemical markers from serum: procollagen type 1 N-terminal propeptide (P1NP), beta crosslaps C-terminal telopeptide of collagen type I (b-CTX) by ECLIA method, total and ionized calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, parathyroid hormone and vitamin D. Analyses revealed changes in bone mineral density (BMD) at L1–L4 and the femoral neck, with the difference in mean BMD (g/cm²) not exceeding the threshold of statistical significance (p = 0.180; p = 0.502). Upon completion of 12-month therapy, a significant increase (p < 0.001) in P1NP was observed relative to b-CTX, with mean total calcium and phosphorus values following a decreasing trend, while vitamin D levels increased. These results suggest that yearlong application of TNF inhibitors has the capacity to positively impact bone metabolism, as indicated by an increase in bone-forming markers and relatively stable BMD (g/cm²).

Introduction. Hand osteoarthritis is a joint degenerative disease characterized by hand deformities affecting the hand strength and function, leading to greater disability and increased healthcare utilization. The objective of this study was to estimate the impact of different risk factors on the incidence of hand osteoarthritis. Material and Methods. The study was a prospective cross-sectional study conducted at the Special Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases Novi Sad, Serbia, during a one year period (2017 - 2018). It included 100 postmenopausal women aged 60 to 70 years presenting with pain in the hands ? 3 according to the visual analogue scale. All respondents were divided into two groups, according to radiographic findings graded using the Kellgren-Lawrence scale. Risk factors responsible for the development of hand osteoarthritis were examined and the research procedure included medical history data, physical examination of the hand joints, anthropometric measurements, and laboratory tests. Statistical processing and analysis was performed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences ver. 25. Results. Statistically significant differences were found between the two groups in relation to positive family history of degenerative changes in the hand joints (p = 0.000), as well as in relation to metabolic syndrome (p = 0.001). Conclusion. A positive family history of degenerative changes of the hands and presence of metabolic syndrome are significant risk factors for the development of hand osteoarthritis.

Objective: Translation and cross-cultural validation of the Serbian version of the Lower Extremity Functional Scale (Srb-LEFS). Methods: This prospective cross-sectional study initially included 186 postmenopausal women aged 60 to 75 years who underwent an x-ray examination of both knees, along with body mass, body height, waist circumference, knee range of motion, and blood pressure measurements. The laboratory analyses included the evaluation of fasting glucose levels and lipid profile. All participants completed the LEFS, Lequesne index, and 36-Item Short-Form Survey-RAND. Results: The analyses revealed good internal consistency (α = 0.95), good test-retest reliability, and a two-factor structure of the Srb-LEFS. Concurrent validity analysis confirmed a significant positive correlation between Srb-LEFS scores and the 36-Item Short-Form Survey-RAND Physical Functioning subscale (r = 0.889, P < 0.0001), the Lequesne index (r = −0.976, P < 0.0001), and the Numeric Rating Scale for pain (r = −0.762, P < 0.0001). Convergent validity analyses revealed a statistically significant negative correlation between the Srb-LEFS scores and age (r = −0.25, P = 0.006), body mass index (r = −0.31, P < 0.01), and waist circumference (r = −0.37, P < 0.0001). The Srb-LEFS scores were statistically significantly higher among participants that reported moderate physical activity levels, as well as those that had fewer comorbidities, minor structural knee damage, greater knee range of motion, and greater quadriceps femoris muscle strength. Conclusions: The Serbian version of the LEFS is feasible, valid, and reliable for use in both clinical practice and clinical studies to assess self-reported physical functioning in older individuals with knee osteoarthritis.

Background and Objectives: Inadequate treatment of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) might have a negative impact on their progression. Inhalation therapy is the cornerstone of pharmacotherapy for these conditions. However, challenges such as low adherence, negative attitudes, and misconceptions about inhaled medications still persist, impeding effective disease management. This study aimed to evaluate adherence, ascertain the level of disease control in asthma and COPD, explore potential misconceptions surrounding inhalation therapy among patients with obstructive lung diseases and the general population in Vojvodina, and evaluate the reliability of newly developed questionnaires employed in the study. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study utilized a battery of questionnaires encompassing sociodemographic data, the Asthma Control Test (ACT), the COPD Assessment Test (CAT), along with two novel questionnaires—one for assessing adherence and another for analyzing attitudes toward inhalation therapy. Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS software, version 25.0. Results: The average ACT score among patients with asthma was 17.31, while it was 19.09 for the CAT questionnaire among COPD patients. The composite score on the newly developed adherence assessment questionnaire was 2.27, exhibiting a reliability coefficient lower than recommended (α = 0.468). Significant statistical differences emerged among sample subgroups regarding attitudes and misconceptions toward inhalation therapy. The reliability coefficient for this questionnaire was deemed satisfactory (α = 0.767). Conclusions: Adherence rates were notably suboptimal in both subgroups of the studied population. The disease control levels were higher among asthma patients, while they exhibited less prevalent misconceptions regarding inhalation therapy compared to COPD patients and the healthy population.

Aim: To identify the determinants of self‐reported health‐related quality of life in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus during the coronavirus pandemic.Design: A cross‐sectional study.Methods: The study sample included 182 children and adolescents who had been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes mellitus at least 3 months prior. Data collection instruments included sociodemographic and glycaemic control protocol adherence questionnaires, documentation sheet for recording clinical data, and Serbian versions of the EuroQol‐5D‐Y and KidScreen27 questionnaires, which were used to assess health‐related quality of life.Results: Glycaemic control adherence, presence of comorbidities, level of metabolic control, and type of insulin therapy were identified as key determinants of self‐reported health‐related quality of life.Patient or Public Contribution: No patient or public contributions.