Background: In recent years, the integration of large language models (LLMs) into healthcare has emerged as a revolutionary approach to enhancing doctor–patient communication, particularly in the management of diseases such as prostate cancer. Methods: Our paper evaluated the effectiveness of three prominent LLMs—ChatGPT (3.5), Gemini (Pro), and Co-Pilot (the free version)—against the official Romanian Patient’s Guide on prostate cancer. Employing a randomized and blinded method, our study engaged eight medical professionals to assess the responses of these models based on accuracy, timeliness, comprehensiveness, and user-friendliness. Results: The primary objective was to explore whether LLMs, when operating in Romanian, offer comparable or superior performance to the Patient’s Guide, considering their potential to personalize communication and enhance the informational accessibility for patients. Results indicated that LLMs, particularly ChatGPT, generally provided more accurate and user-friendly information compared to the Guide. Conclusions: The findings suggest a significant potential for LLMs to enhance healthcare communication by providing accurate and accessible information. However, variability in performance across different models underscores the need for tailored implementation strategies. We highlight the importance of integrating LLMs with a nuanced understanding of their capabilities and limitations to optimize their use in clinical settings.

This study assesses the effectiveness of chatbots powered by Large Language Models (LLMs)—ChatGPT 3.5, CoPilot, and Gemini—in delivering prostate cancer information, compared to the official Patient’s Guide. Using 25 expert-validated questions, we conducted a comparative analysis to evaluate accuracy, timeliness, completeness, and understandability through a Likert scale. Statistical analyses were used to quantify the performance of each model. Results indicate that ChatGPT 3.5 consistently outperformed the other models, establishing itself as a robust and reliable source of information. CoPilot also performed effectively, albeit slightly less so than ChatGPT 3.5. Despite the strengths of the Patient’s Guide, the advanced capabilities of LLMs like ChatGPT significantly enhance educational tools in healthcare. The findings underscore the need for ongoing innovation and improvement in AI applications within health sectors, especially considering the ethical implications underscored by the forthcoming EU AI Act. Future research should focus on investigating potential biases in AI-generated responses and their impact on patient outcomes.

Background: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the most prevalent bacterial infections affecting millions of people worldwide each year. They are characterized by the presence of pathogenic microorganisms in the urinary system, leading to symptoms such as frequent urination, burning sensations during urination, and lower abdominal pain. While UTIs can affect individuals of all ages and genders, they are particularly common in women due to anatomical factors. A significant concern regarding UTIs is their tendency to recur, with some patients experiencing multiple episodes within a year. Methods: This study included 674 female patients that were admitted into “Dr. Carol Davila” Central Military Emergency University Hospital in Bucharest over a period of 3 years. Results: Of the 674 women with urinary tract infection, 435 (79.3%) had more than one positive culture, and 239 (35.4%) experienced at least one recurrent urinary tract infection 6–12 months after the initial diagnosis. The mean age of women with urinary tract infection was 63 (±15.61 years). Recurrent urinary tract infections were most prevalent in those aged 65–80 years (52%). Escherichia coli was detected in 71% of the positive cultures. Conclusions: The high prevalence of UTIs among women is a significant public health concern that warrants attention. Women are particularly susceptible to UTIs due to various anatomical and physiological factors. This increased vulnerability underscores the importance of understanding the current epidemiological landscape of UTIs to develop effective preventive strategies.

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) represent a major cause of morbidity among adult women, with a disproportionate burden among postmenopausal patients. Limited data exist from Eastern Europe regarding pathogen distribution, antimicrobial resistance, and treatment patterns in hospitalized women. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 948 adult female patients hospitalized with symptomatic UTIs between January 2021 and December 2023 in a Romanian multidisciplinary hospital. Demographic, clinical, and microbiological parameters were analyzed. Pathogen identification was performed by MALDI-TOF MS, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing followed EUCAST 2024 standards. Empiric treatment strategies and subsequent therapy modifications were assessed. Postmenopausal women accounted for 78.4% of cases and exhibited higher rates of recurrent UTIs, frailty, diabetes, urinary catheterization, and prior antibiotic exposure. Escherichia coli remained the predominant pathogen (52.6%), followed by Klebsiella spp. (18.4%) and Enterococcus spp. (12.1%). ESBL-producing organisms were found in 21.4% of E. coli and 38.7% of Klebsiella isolates. Pathogen distribution differed by age: younger women had a higher proportion of E. coli, whereas postmenopausal women showed a relative increase in opportunistic/healthcare-associated pathogens, particularly Klebsiella spp. and Enterococcus spp., consistent with higher catheter exposure and comorbidity burden. Carbapenem resistance was rare but present in a small subset of Klebsiella isolates with phenotypes compatible with OXA-48-like carbapenemase production. Empiric therapy most frequently included ceftriaxone or fluoroquinolones, but 27.8% of regimens required adjustment after susceptibility results. Independent predictors of prolonged hospitalization included age > 65 years, recurrent UTI, MDR infection, urinary catheterization, and delayed targeted therapy. UTIs among hospitalized adult women—especially postmenopausal patients—are strongly influenced by comorbidity burden and antimicrobial resistance. Local resistance patterns highlight the need for evidence-based empiric treatment and rapid therapy optimization. Strengthening stewardship and preventive interventions in elderly women is essential.

Background: Acute necrotizing esophagitis (ANE), also known as “black esophagus,” is a rare but life-threatening condition typically occurring in critically ill patients with profound systemic disturbances. Extreme hyperglycemic crises represent an underrecognized precipitating factor, capable of inducing severe metabolic, inflammatory, and microvascular injury. Case Presentation: We report the case of a 54-year-old male admitted with altered mental status and severe dehydration, in whom initial laboratory evaluation revealed extreme hyperglycemia (serum glucose ~1000 mg/dL), metabolic acidosis, and early multiorgan dysfunction. During intensive care unit hospitalization, the patient developed anemia and severe thrombocytopenia, followed by evidence of upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Urgent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy demonstrated diffuse circumferential black necrosis of the distal esophageal mucosa with abrupt demarcation at the gastroesophageal junction, consistent with acute necrotizing esophagitis, along with associated erosive hemorrhagic gastritis. Comprehensive laboratory evaluation documented marked inflammatory activation and hematologic instability. Management and Outcome: Treatment consisted of aggressive metabolic correction, strict glycemic control, hemodynamic stabilization, infection management, and supportive gastrointestinal care. Progressive clinical and biological improvement was observed, with resolution of bleeding and partial recovery of hematologic parameters. Conclusions: This case highlights a severe hyperglycemic crisis as a major contributing factor within a multifactorial ischemic and inflammatory cascade leading to acute necrotizing esophagitis.

Drug use–associated infective endocarditis (DUA-IE) is an increasingly important clinical problem that affects younger patients and poses substantial diagnostic, therapeutic, and surgical challenges. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of adults with definite infective endocarditis treated at a tertiary referral center between 2017 and 2022, comparing patients with DUA-IE to those with non–drug use–associated infective endocarditis. Of the 189 patients, 43 (22.8%) had DUA-IE. These patients were significantly younger and had higher rates of HIV and hepatitis C coinfections. Staphylococcus aureus was the predominant pathogen, and right-sided valve involvement was more frequent; however, left-sided disease predominated among patients requiring valve surgery. Compared with non-DUA-IE patients, those with DUA-IE had larger vegetations, higher inflammatory markers, more frequent complications(including sepsis, embolic events, and heart failure), higher rates of emergency surgical intervention, longer hospitalizations, and increased in-hospital mortality rates. In conclusion, DUA-IE represents a distinct and more aggressive form of infective endocarditis, characterized by severe infection, increased complication rates, and a substantial surgical burden despite the younger patient age, underscoring the need for integrated infectious disease, surgical, and addiction-focused care models for these patients.