Background/Objectives: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) among youth is rising, and the increase is closely linked to unhealthy lifestyle patterns. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of MetS among University of Rijeka students and investigate its associations with dietary habits, physical activity, gender, and faculty type (health and non-health faculties). Methods: A cross-sectional study conducted from September 2024 to March 2025 involved 217 randomly selected students from 16 faculties. The validated questionnaires Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS) and International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form (IPAQ-SF), as well as a general data questionnaire, were used alongside anthropometric (height, weight, waist circumference) and biochemical measurements (fasting plasma glucose, triglycerides, HDL cholesterol). MetS was diagnosed using a combination of International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria and Polish Experts Consensus (2022) criteria. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, t-tests, ANOVA, Spearman’s correlation, and multivariate logistic regression. Results: MetS was identified in 5.5% of students. Significant risk factors included obesity (body mass index, BMI, p < 0.05), low physical activity (IPAQ-SF, p < 0.05), elevated blood pressure (p < 0.01), high triglyceride levels (p < 0.05), and increased waist-to-height ratio (WHtR, p < 0.01). Female students reported lower physical activity than males (p < 0.05), while students from non-health faculties had lower adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MEDAS, p < 0.05) and reduced physical activity (p < 0.05). Higher adherence to the Mediterranean diet correlated with lower BMI and triglyceride levels (p < 0.05), whereas lower adherence was associated with reduced physical activity (Spearman’s r = −0.35, p < 0.01). Logistic regression with WHR as the dependent variable showed waist circumference (WC) as the strongest predictor (OR = 45.925, 95% CI: 5.238–402.666, p = 0.001), followed by triglycerides (OR = 3.395, 95% CI: 1.322–8.718, p = 0.011). BMI was inversely associated with WHR (OR = 0.068, 95% CI: 0.006–0.780, p = 0.031). HDL cholesterol, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and fasting glucose were not significant predictors (p > 0.05), indicating limited predictive power in this model. Conclusions: The 5.5% MetS prevalence underscores the need for targeted interventions promoting Mediterranean diet adherence and physical activity, particularly among non-health faculty students and females. Longitudinal studies are warranted to assess intervention efficacy.

Still disease is a rare inflammatory disorder often triggered by infections or malignancies, with SARS‐CoV‐2 as a possible factor. This paper explores a 56‐year‐old patient who developed adult‐onset Still disease after COVID‐19. Symptoms included fever, arthralgia, rash, hepatomegaly, and joint swelling. Diagnosis followed Yamaguchi criteria and treatment with glucocorticoids and immunosuppressants led to recovery. The paper discusses similarities between Still disease and severe COVID‐19 that suggest shared inflammatory mechanisms, particularly IL‐1 activation. Early diagnosis and treatment are vital. Further research is needed to clarify the link between Still disease and SARS‐CoV‐2 and improve treatment strategies.

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.

A liver abscess is defined as a pus-filled mass in the liver that can develop from an intra-abdominal infection disseminated from the portal vein or from injury to the liver. Liver abscesses can be broadly divided into two categories: amoebic and pyogenic. The clinical presentation of pyogenic liver abscess is nonspecific; thus, a high index of suspicion is required for timely diagnosis. The classic triad of right upper quadrant discomfort, fevers/chills, and malaise is only present in approximately 30% of patients. A 66-year-old patient reports to a family doctor for pain below the right costal arch that lasts for about eight days and occurs after strenuous physical work, and he is occasionally feverish to 38 degrees. No physical signs of ascites were found, liver, and spleen were unpalpable during the physical examination. He was examined by ultrasound of the abdomen and multiple focal liver lesions in both liver lobes were detected. He was referred to a gastroenterologist and CT showed multiple hypodense irregular formations intraparenchymal and sub-capsular in the liver. Micrococcus luteus and Enterococcus faecalis were detected in blood cultures. Ultrasound-guided drainage of the largest focal lesion was performed. Parenteral and i.v. antibiotic therapy is introduced into the therapy. In the further course, the patient was in good general condition, afebrile, laboratory parameters were in the reference interval and he was discharged for further home care. Without treatment, pyogenic liver abscess has a mortality rate of 100%. When treated, this value currently drops to about 2.5% and 14%. Recognition of the features of pyogenic abscess on imaging, laboratory findings and clinical picture allows early diagnosis and rapid introduction of appropriate therapy resulting in better prognosis and reduction of complications and risk of mortality.

Background/Objectives: University students are particularly vulnerable to psychological distress and sleep disturbances, which may impair academic performance and overall well-being. Lifestyle changes, increased academic demands, and the COVID-19 pandemic may have further exacerbated these problems. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of insomnia and anxiety among students at the University of Rijeka and to examine their associations with COVID-19 infection, vaccination status, lifestyle habits, and sociodemographic characteristics. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted between October 2024 and April 2025 among 594 students from 14 faculties of the University of Rijeka. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire including sociodemographic variables, the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), lifestyle behaviors, and COVID-19-related factors. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: Insomnia was reported by 50.7% of students (36.9% mild, 12.1% moderate, 1.7% severe), while 49.6% reported elevated anxiety levels. Female sex, smoking, low physical activity, poor subjective sleep quality, and frequent nighttime awakenings were significantly associated with higher ISI and GAD-7 scores (all p < 0.05). COVID-19 infection and vaccination status showed weaker associations with insomnia compared to psychosocial and lifestyle factors. Students living in shared rental accommodation reported higher insomnia severity. In multivariable regression analysis, anxiety severity, sleep fragmentation (frequent nocturnal awakenings), and poor perceived sleep quality emerged as the strongest independent predictors of insomnia severity. Conclusions: Insomnia and anxiety are highly prevalent among University of Rijeka students and are primarily associated with psychosocial and lifestyle factors rather than COVID-19-related variables. University-based interventions focusing on stress reduction, sleep hygiene, and early mental health support are warranted, particularly for high-risk groups.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs) are mesenchymal tumours that can be located in any part of the gastrointestinal system. Most often they occur in the stomach and in 20-30% of cases they occur in the small intestine. About 30% of all GISTs are malignant. We report a case of a 54-year-old patient with malignant GIST located in the small intestine and liver. The patient complained of discomfort and heaviness in the abdomen and parts of the abdomen were hard on palpation. Family physician performed an ultrasound of the abdomen which showed a large mass in the right hemiabdomen. CT scan of the abdomen showed a tumour mass of approximately 13x19x20 cm and GIST was suspected. Biopsy was performed and histopathological finding spoke in favour of GIST. GIST resection and Meckel diverticulum resection were performed. Histopathological finding confirmed it was a malignant GIST. After nine months, a control ultrasound showed an oval formation of the liver and excision was performed. The patient was discharged home and histopathological finding confirmed that liver formations were also GIST. GIST should be considered as a possible cause of abdominal difficulties and the treatment of choice is surgery.