Background/Objectives: Ischemic heart disease (IHD) significantly affects mental health, with gender-specific differences being observed in psychological responses. This pilot study aimed to explore these differences in the demographic, clinical, psychological, psychiatric, and social profile of patients diagnosed with IHD. Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional design was used, recruiting 183 adult patients diagnosed with coronary artery disease and depression at the Psychiatry Department of Arad County Emergency Hospital, Romania, between May 2021 and May 2024. Data were collected using a self-developed tool, named the Depression Assessment in Ischemic Heart Disease Questionnaire (DA-IHDQ), alongside standardized assessments. Statistical analysis was performed using JASP statistical software (Version 0.19.1, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands), employing binomial and multinomial tests for categorical data, and Cronbach’s alpha was used to assess internal consistency. Results: This study found significant demographic differences, with female patients exhibiting higher levels of emotional distress and severe depression compared with the male subjects. Women reported greater social isolation and a stronger desire to seek for psychological or psychiatric support. Furthermore, a positive correlation between depression severity and physical symptoms was observed in both genders. Conclusions: These findings highlight the importance of recognizing gender-specific responses to IHD, emphasizing the need for tailored interventions in mental healthcare and cardiac rehabilitation. Future research should further explore these differences to enhance the understanding of the psychosocial/psychiatric aspects of IHD and improve patient outcomes.

Background/Objectives: Ischemic heart disease (IHD) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, and it is frequently associated with depression, which can negatively impact both clinical outcomes and quality of life. The relationship between IHD and depression is complex, with gender differences influencing the severity of depression and willingness to seek psychological support. This study aims to evaluate the prevalence and severity of depression in IHD patients using the Depression Assessment in Ischemic Heart Disease Questionnaire (DA-IHDQ) and to explore gender differences in depression severity and help-seeking behavior. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 103 patients diagnosed with IHD (62 males, 41 females), with data collected from two general practice clinics in Arad, Romania, between November 2023 and November 2024. Participants completed the DA-IHDQ, a self-developed questionnaire designed to screen for depression in IHD patients. The questionnaire categorizes depression severity into four grades: minimal to no depression, mild depression, moderate depression, and severe depression. The study also assessed participants’ interest in receiving psychological support. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were performed, and the psychometric properties of DA-IHDQ, including its reliability (Cronbach’s α = 0.957) and diagnostic accuracy (sensitivity = 90.0%, specificity = 98.8%), were evaluated. Results: Mild depression was the most common grade in both male and female IHD patients, while severe depression was the least prevalent. Males had a higher overall frequency of depression, with more cases of mild depression, whereas females had a higher proportion of moderate and severe depression. Additionally, males demonstrated significantly lower interest in psychological or psychiatric help, while females showed greater willingness to seek mental health support. The DA-IHDQ exhibited strong internal consistency and high diagnostic accuracy in identifying depressive symptoms in IHD patients. The DA-IHDQ exhibited strong internal consistency and high diagnostic accuracy in identifying depressive symptoms in IHD patients. Conclusions: The findings highlight the high prevalence of depression in IHD patients and the gender disparities in mental health engagement, emphasizing the need for targeted psychological interventions. The DA-IHDQ demonstrated strong psychometric properties and could serve as an effective screening tool for depression in IHD care. The DA-IHDQ demonstrated strong psychometric properties and could serve as an effective screening tool for depression in IHD care. Future research should explore the barriers to help-seeking among male IHD patients and develop gender-sensitive strategies to improve access to mental health services.

Background: This study investigates the association between depression and ischemic heart disease (IHD), conditions that often coexist and complicate patient management. Understanding the impact of demographic factors, risk factors, symptoms, and medical approaches in these patients is essential to develop effective clinical strategies. Objectives: The aim of this study is to investigate how demographic characteristics, risk factors, symptoms, and treatment methods differ between patients with depression alone and those with both depression and IHD. It seeks to identify how these factors influence patient outcomes, providing insights to improve management and treatment approaches for this complex patient group. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study included a sample of 332 patients diagnosed with depression, with a specific subgroup consisting of individuals who also had comorbid IHD. Statistical analyses were performed to compare the patients with depression, focusing on those with IHD. Data on demographic characteristics (e.g., gender, environment, social status), risk factors (e.g., hypertension, diabetes), symptom severity, and treatments (e.g., antidepressants, antipsychotics, anxiolytics, hypnotics) were analyzed. The study also evaluated the frequency of cardiac examinations and emergency hospitalizations. Results: Significant demographic differences were found between the two groups. Patients with both depression and IHD had higher rates of hypertension and diabetes mellitus and experienced more severe depressive symptoms, including reduced mood, energy, and activity levels. The treatment patterns were similar in terms of antidepressant use, but the IHD group had a higher use of antipsychotics, anxiolytics, and hypnotics. Additionally, these patients required more cardiac examinations and emergency hospitalizations. Conclusions: Comorbidity between depression and IHD presents complex clinical challenges, and it is crucial to implement an integrated management approach that addresses both mental and physical health. This study highlights the need for comprehensive therapeutic strategies to improve the quality of life and outcomes for patients with these coexisting conditions.

The complexities surrounding the use of medications, substance abuse, and the recreational use of plants are multifaceted and warrant a comprehensive examination. This review highlights the complexities surrounding the consumption of chemical substances in excess or for non-medical purposes, obtained through legal prescriptions, over-the-counter purchases, or illicit means, with an emphasis on the predictive role of stressors and individual-level variables in the development of substance use disorders, as well as the influence of the regulatory environment on patterns of consumption. Additionally, the alarming escalation in the mortality rate associated with illicit drug and opioid overdoses is also underscored. The recreational use of prescription medications can lead to significant health risks, particularly when combined with other substances; therefore, the need for interventions and preventive measures to address substance abuse among various populations is imperative. Furthermore, novel insights on substance abuse addiction, exploring the neurobiological mechanisms underlying addiction, and discussing treatment approaches and interventions are elucidated. Advancements in technology for detecting substance abuse are also highlighted, displaying innovative tools for more effective identification and monitoring. In conclusion, the complexities of medications, substance abuse, and the recreational use of plants reveal a landscape marked by overlapping motivations and health implications. The distinction between medical and recreational use is critical for understanding user behavior and addressing public health concerns.

The protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) has been implicated in various neuropsychiatric disorders, including depression. Our aim in this study was to assess the seroprevalence of T. gondii IgG antibodies as well as potential risk factors associated with seropositivity in patients with depression compared to healthy blood donors. This seroepidemiological study included 230 participants from Western Romania, divided equally into two groups: 115 patients diagnosed with depressive disorders which represented the study group and 115 age and gender-matched healthy blood donors, representing the control group. A structured questionnaire was used to assess risk factors potentially linked to T. gondii infection. The T. gondii IgG antibodies overall seroprevalence was significantly higher in the depression group (70.43%) compared to the control group (45.22%) (OR = 2.89; 95% CI: 1.68–4.97; p < 0.001). Higher seropositivity was noted in patients aged 50–59, 60+ years and in females. Patients with lower educational attainment showed significantly increased odds of T. gondii seropositivity (72.29% vs. 44.3%, OR = 3.28; 95% CI: 1.71–6.31; p < 0.001) compared with the control group. Stratification by ICD-10 diagnostic subtypes revealed significantly higher seropositivity in all categories, with the strongest association in patients with recurrent severe depressive episodes without psychotic symptoms (F33.2) (81.25%, OR = 3.5; 95% CI: 1.51–8.13; p = 0.004). These findings suggest a possible link between T. gondii infection and depression, particularly in relation to disease severity and sociodemographic factors. To our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate T. gondii seroprevalence and associated risk factors in Romanian patients with depression, providing a foundation for future longitudinal and preventive research.

Background/Objectives: Psychiatric inpatient care varies substantially in its clinical goals, resource demands, and financial implications. Acute units focus on short-term crisis stabilization, whereas chronic units provide prolonged supervision for patients with persistent functional impairment. Limited evidence exists from Eastern Europe on how these differing service models impact both hospital costs and clinical outcomes such as early rehospitalization. This study aimed to compare the economic and operational performance of Acute versus Chronic Psychiatry and to identify predictors of 30-day readmission following acute psychiatric hospitalization. Methods: This retrospective observational study analyzed routinely collected data from a Romanian public hospital. All adult admissions to Acute and Chronic Psychiatry recorded between 1 January 2024 and 31 December 2024 were included. Standardized financial indicators were derived from administrative data, while clinical variables and readmission outcomes were extracted from electronic medical records. Between-group comparisons of economic and operational indicators were performed using t-tests. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine independent predictors of 30-day readmission in Acute Psychiatry, reporting adjusted odds ratios (aOR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Model performance was evaluated with area under the curve (AUC), Hosmer–Lemeshow tests, and Nagelkerke R². Results: Acute Psychiatry demonstrated significantly higher mean cost per bed-day (798.76 vs. 373.75 lei; p < 0.001), but a lower mean cost per patient due to shorter hospitalization (10.17 vs. 53.32 days). A total of 188 acute patients (13.7%) were readmitted within 30 days. No early readmissions occurred in Chronic Psychiatry, consistent with its long-stay care model. Independent predictors of readmission included psychotic disorder diagnosis (aOR = 1.62, 95% CI: 1.18–2.23), multiple prior admissions (aOR = 1.35, 95% CI: 1.18–1.54), shorter length of stay (LOS) (aOR = 0.88 per 5-day increase, p = 0.006), and absence of a post-discharge plan (aOR = 0.54, 95% CI: 0.39–0.76). Model discrimination was acceptable (AUC = 0.74). Conclusions: Acute and chronic psychiatric services differ markedly in cost structures and care pathways. Early rehospitalization is a clinically relevant outcome within acute psychiatric care and is influenced by both patient-level and continuity-of-care factors. Enhancing discharge coordination, expanding continuity-of-care strategies, and optimizing resource allocation toward community-based support may reduce early rehospitalizations while improving hospital cost-efficiency.