Andreea Nicoleta Mălăescu

Dr. Andreea Nicoleta Mălăescu


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

2Years (2025-Present)

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

Representative Publications

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20 January 2025 in Cancers
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
ACAncuta Constantin
Ancuta Constantin
AGAndreea Dumitrita Gaburici
Andreea Dumitrita Gaburici
AMAndreea Nicoleta Mălăescu
Andreea Nicoleta Mălăescu
IAIorga Ana-Luiza
Iorga Ana-Luiza
DMDragosloveanu Christiana Diana Maria
Dragosloveanu Christiana Diana Maria
SRSima Romina-Marina
Sima Romina-Marina
Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is a rare, progressive, and poor-prognosis systemic disorder that primarily affects women of reproductive age, with a higher prevalence among individuals of Caucasian origin. However, there are limited reliable data on the prevalence of LAM during pregnancy. The fulminant respiratory clinical presentation that often includes progressive dyspnea on exertion, cough, or hemoptysis, frequently complicated by pneumothorax, and the increased risk of spontaneous abortion due to increased estrogen and progesterone production during gestation, are arguments that most often make the diagnosed woman avoid pregnancy. Elevated levels of vascular endothelial growth factor D (VEGF-D), decline in respiratory function, and radiological findings are sufficient arguments in favor of the diagnosis in the pregnant woman. Sirolimus, an mTOR inhibitor, has demonstrated effectiveness in slowing the decline of lung function. Although sirolimus treatment is often recommended to be discontinued before conception due to the increased risk of fetal growth restriction, maintaining a dose level of <5 pcg/mL, with serum drug levels of 3–5 pcg/L, has been considered safe. Given the potential risks, individualized decisions about pregnancy are advised for patients with LAM. For those who choose to proceed, close monitoring by a multidisciplinary team is essential to manage complications effectively. Ongoing research aims to provide clearer guidance to optimize outcomes for both mother and child.

4 October 2026 in Life
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
Florin MihaltanFlorin Mihaltan
Florin Mihaltan
ACAntonio Andrei Cotea
Antonio Andrei Cotea
AMAndreea Nicoleta Mălăescu
Andreea Nicoleta Mălăescu
ACAncuta Constantin
Ancuta Constantin
Background: Spirometric airflow obstruction frequently remains unrecognised in community settings, representing a major diagnostic gap in chronic respiratory disease management. Population-based epidemiological data from Romanian coastal communities–characterised by a highly dynamic population including residents, seasonal workers, and tourists–remain scarce. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of screening-detected pre-bronchodilator airflow obstruction and chronic respiratory diseases, characterise smoking behaviours including novel tobacco product use, identify individuals at elevated risk for sleep apnea, and examine patterns of preventive care and healthcare utilisation across five Black Sea coastal localities. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 979 adults from five coastal localities in Constanța County, Romania, as part of a community-based respiratory screening campaign conducted 11–16 August 2025: Neptun (n = 147), Olimp (n = 178), Saturn (n = 187), Mangalia (n = 257), and Jupiter (n = 210). Data were collected using a structured questionnaire covering 22 domains, including medical diagnoses, spirometric measurements (FEV1/FVC%), sleep quality, snoring, anthropometric parameters, comorbidities, and healthcare utilisation. Airflow obstruction was defined as an FEV1/FVC ratio < 70%. The primary outcome of interest was the prevalence of screening-detected pre-bronchodilator airflow obstruction, including among individuals without a prior respiratory diagnosis. Sleep apnea risk was defined by the co-reporting of habitual snoring and witnessed apneic episodes, used as a two-item screening proxy. Results: Among 979 participants (51.4% female; mean age 47.3 ± 13.5 years), 9.3% had at least one CRD: asthma (4.4%), chronic bronchitis (3.0%), COPD (1.7%), and emphysema (0.3%). CRD prevalence increased with age, from 6.1% in individuals <40 years to 24.2% in those aged 71–80 years. Of 973 participants with spirometry data, 17.9% demonstrated airflow obstruction (FEV1/FVC < 70%), including 15.7% without a prior respiratory diagnosis, representing previously unrecognised airflow limitation rather than confirmed chronic disease. Screening-defined OSA-risk positivity, based on a two-item proxy of habitual snoring and witnessed apnoeic episodes, was identified in 10.9% (n = 107) and was more common among obese participants (19.5% vs. 7.9%; absolute difference 11.6 percentage points; p < 0.001). Current smoking was reported by 35.2%, and 8.9% reported the use of novel tobacco products. Influenza vaccination coverage was 20.0%, while pneumococcal vaccination uptake was 3.4%. Conclusions: One in six adults without a prior respiratory diagnosis demonstrated spirometric airflow limitation, suggesting that opportunistic spirometry in primary care could substantially improve case detection in Romanian coastal communities. OSA risk, assessed by symptom-based screening proxy, was present in 10.9% of participants, with higher BMI as the strongest independent predictor among the variables assessed. High smoking prevalence (35.2%) and critically low pneumococcal vaccination coverage (3.4%) represent additional modifiable public health targets. These findings support a unified community respiratory screening approach incorporating spirometry, sleep apnea risk stratification, and vaccination audit, particularly in primary care settings serving coastal populations with dynamic demographics.