Mihaela Rakusic

Dr. Mihaela Rakusic


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

3Years (2024-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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6 June 2024 in Nutrients
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
ZPZivana Puljiz
Zivana Puljiz
Marko KumricMarko Kumric
Marko Kumric
TMTonka Borovina Marasovic
Tonka Borovina Marasovic
TMTonći Mastelić
Tonći Mastelić
MRMihaela Rakusic
Mihaela Rakusic
Josko BozicJosko Bozic
Josko Bozic
As accumulated evidence suggests that individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) encounter earlier and more frequent occurrences of cardiovascular diseases, the aim of this study was to ascertain the differences in lifestyle and cardiovascular risk between PTSD and complex PTSD patients. We enrolled 137 male war veterans with PTSD (89 had complex PTSD). The diagnosis was established based on 11th revision of International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11), and cardiovascular risk was estimated by the measurement of advanced glycation end products. Adherence to Mediterranean diet (MD) was lower in the complex PTSD group (2.2% vs. 12.5%, p = 0.015). Accordingly, patients with complex PTSD had lower healthy lifestyle scores in comparison to PTSD counterparts (50.6 ± 9.7 vs. 59.6 ± 10.1, p < 0.001), and a positive association was noted between MD adherence and a healthy lifestyle (r = 0.183, p = 0.022). On the other hand, differences were not noted in terms of physical activity (p = 0.424), fat % (p = 0.571) or cardiovascular risk (p = 0.573). Although complex PTSD patients exhibit worse adherence to MD and lower healthy lifestyle scores, these differences do not seem to impact physical activity, body composition, or estimated cardiovascular risk. More research is needed to clarify if this lack of association accurately reflects the state of the PTSD population or results from insufficient statistical power.

26 March 2025 in Medicina
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
Dinko MartinovicDinko Martinovic
Dinko Martinovic
MCMatea Cernak
Matea Cernak
SLSlaven Lasić
Slaven Lasić
EPEma Puizina
Ema Puizina
ALAntonella Lesin
Antonella Lesin
Josko BozicJosko Bozic
Josko Bozic
Background and Objectives: Oral health is a critical component of overall well-being, and it is highly influenced by psychological factors. While mental health disorders are often associated with poor oral health, the impact of obsessive–compulsive personality disorder (OCPD) tendencies on oral hygiene behaviors remains underexplored. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between OCPD tendencies and oral health behaviors among biomedical students. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 384 biomedical students aged 18–30 years. Participants completed the Hiroshima University Dental Behavior Inventory (HU-DBI) to assess oral health behaviors and the Five Factor Obsessive–Compulsive Inventory—Short Form (FFOCI-SF) to evaluate OCPD tendencies, and they were divided into high and low tendencies groups. Sociodemographic data were also collected. Statistical analysis of all collected data was performed using the MedCalc computer software for Windows®. Results: The higher OCPD tendencies group was older (p = 0.003), with predominantly female students (p = 0.005), and with higher academic grades (p < 0.001). These participants exhibited significantly better HU-DBI total scores compared to the group with the lower tendencies (8.0 (7.0–8.0) vs. 7.0 (6.0–8.0); p < 0.001). Traits such as perfectionism, fastidiousness, and punctiliousness were significantly associated with better oral hygiene practices (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Our results suggest that OCPD tendencies in biomedical students positively influence oral health behaviors through traits like perfectionism and attention to detail, though excessive rigidity may pose risks such as over-brushing. However, future longitudinal larger-scale studies need to address these findings.