We aimed to provide insight into nutritional and clinical indicators of malnutrition risk and their influence on two-year mortality and re-hospitalization rate among patients hospitalized in internal clinic departments in the tertiary hospital in Croatia. Initially, data on 346 participants were obtained, while 218 of them where followed-up two years later. At baseline, the majority of participants were old and polymorbid (62.1% suffered from arterial hypertension, 29.5% from cancer, and 29.2% from diabetes). Even apparently presenting with satisfying anthropometric indices, 38.4% of them were at-risk for malnutrition when screened with the Nutritional Risk Screening-2002 (NRS-2002) questionnaire (NRS-2002 ≥ 3). More importantly, only 15.3% of all participants were prescribed an oral nutritional supplement during hospitalization. Those that were at-risk for malnutrition suffered significantly more often from cancer (54.9% vs. 20.6%; p < 0.001) and died more often in the follow-up period (42.7% vs. 23.5%; p < 0.003). Their anthropometric indices were generally normal and contradictory 46.3% were overweight and obese (body mass index (BMI) > 25 kg/m²). Only 36.6% of nutritionally endangered participants used an oral supplement in the follow-up period. NRS-2002 ≥ 3 correlated with anthropometric indices, glomerular filtration rate, age, and length of the initial hospital stay. Unlike other studies, NRS-2002 ≥ 3 was not an independent predictor of mortality and re-hospitalizations; other clinical, rather than nutritional parameters proved to be better predictors. Patients in our hospital are neither adequately nutritionally assessed nor managed. There is an urgent need to develop strategies to prevent, identify, and treat malnutrition in our hospital and post-discharge.

Background and Objectives: Regular physical activity (PA) and Mediterranean diet (MeDi) adherence independently improve glycemic control and clinical outcomes in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This study examined the associations between PA, body composition (BC), MeDi adherence, and glycemic control in Dalmatian T2DM patients. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the University Hospital of Split (November–December 2023) during an open call for T2DM patients. Data collected included blood/urine samples, blood pressure, BC, and anthropometrics. MeDi adherence and PA were assessed via the Mediterranean Diet Service Score and the International PA Questionnaire-Short Form. Results: Among 252 participants (median age: 67 years, IQR: 60–73; 51.6% women; median T2DM duration: 10 years, IQR: 6–20), PA levels were low (31.4%, N = 79), moderate (45.2%, N = 114), and high (23.4%, N = 59), with uniformly low MeDi adherence across groups. Low PA was associated with higher body mass index (BMI) and lower phase angle (PhA). PA negatively correlated with fat mass (FM; %) and visceral adiposity. Positive BMI predictors included FM (kg), total body water, visceral fat level, and PhA, while fat-free mass, intracellular water, and FM (%) were negative predictors. The estimated glomerular filtration rate was the only positive predictor of the total metabolic equivalent of the task score. Conclusions: PA enhances BC and metabolic health, but inadequate MeDi adherence limits these benefits in the T2DM population. To optimize glucose control and health outcomes, public health initiatives must emphasize MeDi adherence and a combination of aerobic and resistance training.

We aimed to explore long COVID symptoms, serum calprotectin levels, and the parameters of arterial stiffness in Dalmatian kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) and their possible associations. A cross-sectional, single-center case-control study on 98 KTRs who had recovered from COVID-19 was performed. Long COVID symptoms were explored via standardized questionnaires assessing quality of life, and serum calprotectin was also measured. Out of 98 KTRs with a mean age of 62 years, 63 (64.3%) were men. Medical history, clinical and laboratory parameters, and arterial stiffness measurements were obtained for each study participant. Difficulties with mobility were present in 44.3% of the KTRs, while difficulties with self-care were present in 6.2%, difficulties with usual activities were demonstrated by 35.1%, pain in the extremities was present in 52.5%, and anxiety and depression were present in 26.8%. Our results showed significant differences regarding serum calprotectin levels in clinical manifestations of acute COVID-19 and follow-up laboratory parameters. The most significant positive predictors of the serum calprotectin value in the KTRs were respiratory insufficiency, acute kidney failure, the prescription of antihypertensives, leukocyte and neutrophil counts, the neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio and lactate dehydrogenase levels. Negative predictors were the time since COVID-19, high-density lipoprotein levels, kidney function parameters, and the lymphocyte count. To conclude, serum calprotectin has emerged as a possible promising biomarker for subclinical allograft rejection; however, further studies are needed to better understand this subject.