Background: The perception of the risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is a well-researched phenomenon, but not in relation to cyberchondria and health literacy. Therefore, our aim was to examine the association between the assessment of the risk of sexually transmitted diseases and HIV, cyberchondria, and health literacy. Materials and methods: This study was conducted in 2020–2021 in Croatia. The experimental group consisted of patients from the Centre for Voluntary Counselling and Testing for HIV (N = 134). The control group consisted of other patients recruited from daily epidemiological practices (N = 171). The instruments that were used were questionnaires that measure the perception of risk of sexually transmitted infections and HIV, health literacy, and cyberchondria. Results: Out of 305 respondents, 134 (43.9%) were in the STI counselling group, and 171 (56.1%) were in the control group. Generally, the participants in the former perceived the risk of sexually transmitted infections and HIV to be higher (but still low) than those in the latter. There was no difference in health literacy between the STI and control group; the health literacy score was average in both groups. There were differences in almost all the cyberchondria factors, except for Mistrust. Health literacy, belonging to the STI counselling group, and risk behaviours were positively associated with CH in the logistic regression analysis. Conclusions: People with a risk for STIs tend to minimize this risk, have higher cyberchondria levels, and have average health literacy. Cyberchondria is positively associated with health literacy, and more education about excessive health-related internet research is needed.

Background/Objectives: Cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of death among women, with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) representing an important manifestation of systemic atherosclerosis. The ankle–brachial index (ABI) is a simple, non-invasive measure used for PAD screening and cardiovascular risk assessment. This study aimed to compare ABI values between women of reproductive and postmenopausal age and to explore associations with lifestyle and clinical characteristics in primary care settings. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 437 women recruited from family medicine offices in two Croatian counties between November and December 2024. Participants completed validated questionnaires on dietary habits (MEDAS) and physical activity (IPAQ/PASE), and underwent anthropometric and blood pressure measurements. ABI was assessed using an automated MESI device following a standardized protocol. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify independent predictors of abnormal ABI (<1.00), adjusting for age, BMI, hypertension, smoking, and county. Results: Most participants had normal ABI values (right 95.7%; left 95.0%). Mild to moderate PAD (ABI 0.90–0.99) was observed in approximately 3% and severe PAD (ABI < 0.90) in ≤1.1% of cases. Postmenopausal women were more likely to present with lower ABI values (p = 0.046), though this association was attenuated after adjusting for age. Lifestyle factors, including diet and physical activity, showed no significant association with ABI in the adjusted models. Conclusions: Age emerged as the primary determinant of reduced ABI, while hypertension and smoking showed positive but non-significant associations. The findings underscore the importance of early vascular screening and lifestyle-based prevention in women, particularly in the postmenopausal period. Larger longitudinal studies are warranted to clarify causal pathways and the role of hormonal and behavioral factors in peripheral arterial disease development.

Background/Objectives: Vitamin D insufficiency is common in patients with spondyloarthritis (SpA). We analyzed the relationship between vitamin D, disease activity, and left ventricular (LV) function in patients with SpA. Methods: A total of 298 patients with SpA and 57 healthy controls were enrolled. Serum vitamin D and laboratory cardiovascular risk factors were analyzed, and LV function was assessed by echocardiography. Vitamin D, the Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS), and the Disease Activity Index for Psoriatic Arthritis (DAPSA) were examined for mutual correlations using univariate and multivariate linear regression models and were compared between groups. Results: Vitamin D levels did not differ between the SpA group and controls, although vitamin D supplementation was more frequent among SpA patients. Vitamin D was not associated with SpA activity. ASDAS and DAPSA were positively correlated with isovolumic relaxation time, and DAPSA was inversely correlated with peak early diastolic mitral annular velocity (e′), after adjustment for age, sex, metabolic factors, and/or therapy. Patients with insufficient serum vitamin D levels (<75 nmol/L) showed greater impairment of systolic and diastolic LV function and a diabetic-like lipid profile compared with those with sufficient vitamin D levels. The e′ wave was positively correlated with vitamin D after controlling for confounding factors. These findings in patients with SpA are consistent with those previously reported in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Conclusions: Patients with SpA were characterized by vitamin D supplementation, increased disease activity parameters, and impaired LV function. SpA activity, independent of vitamin D, was associated with LV functional impairment, and vitamin D was associated with an increase in the e′ wave after adjustment for confounding factors. However, causal inferences cannot be drawn from correlational analyses.