Background and Objectives: Osteoarthritis, the most common degenerative joint disease, causes pain, decreased mobility, and functional disability, having a significant impact on patients’ quality of life. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of hip osteoarthritis (HOA) and knee osteoarthritis (KOA) on physical functioning and quality of life, and to explore how these outcomes vary according to sex, disease stage, and common comorbidities. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between 1 October and 30 December 2024, at the Medical Rehabilitation Department of Avram Iancu Clinical Hospital in Oradea, Romania. A total of 133 adult patients diagnosed with HOA or KOA, based on clinical and radiographic criteria, were included. Functional status was assessed using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), while quality of life was evaluated using the World Health Organization quality of life questionnaire-BREF version (WHOQOL-BREF). The main outcomes were the total scores of these instruments, analyzed in relation to demographic and clinical variables. Results: Based on the clinical staging criteria applied in the study, 23 patients (17.3%) were classified as being in the early stage, 98 (73.7%) in the progressive stage, and 12 (9.0%) in the advanced or end stage of the disease. The mean WOMAC total score was 52.0 ± 7.9 (scale: 0–96), indicating moderate to severe functional impairment. The mean WHOQOL-BREF score was 67.9 ± 13.1 (scale: 0–100), reflecting a moderately reduced quality of life. A moderate, statistically significant inverse correlation was observed between WOMAC and WHOQOL-BREF scores (Spearman’s rho = −0.565, p < 0.001). Patients with knee osteoarthritis reported significantly lower quality of life compared to those without this condition (66.48 ± 12.73 vs. 71.76 ± 13.31, p = 0.006). No statistically significant differences were found in functional, or quality-of-life scores based on sex. Conclusions: Knee osteoarthritis, particularly when combined with hip involvement, is associated with a substantial decline in quality of life and functional capacity. The severity and location of joint involvement appear to be the primary determinants of disability in this patient population, while systemic comorbidities have a less pronounced influence in the rehabilitation setting.

Background and Objectives: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture is one of the most frequent and debilitating knee injuries, especially among young, physically active individuals. While extensively studied in Western countries, large-scale epidemiological data from Eastern Europe remain scarce. This study offers the first nationwide assessment of hospitalization-based incidence of acute ACL rupture in Romania. Materials and Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of all hospital discharges coded as S83.53 (ACL rupture) between 2017 and 2023, using national public health datasets. Incidence rates were calculated per 100,000 inhabitants based on the 2021 national census. Data were analyzed by sex, age, year, and region. Results: A total of 4332 ACL-related discharges were recorded (3130 males and 1202 females), yielding an average incidence of 3.23 per 100,000 per year. Incidence in males was consistently higher (up to 5.63) than in females (up to 2.10). The peak incidence occurred in 2023, while the lowest was observed in 2020, likely due to COVID-19-related restrictions. Linear regression showed a significant upward trend over time (R² = 0.966, p < 0.001). The highest age-specific incidence was found in males aged 25–29 years (116.3/100,000) and in females aged 15–19 years (35.4/100,000). Cases were rare above the age of 50. Geographically, incidence varied widely, with Bucharest, Timiș, and Bihor recorded the highest rates, while several other counties reported near-zero values. Conclusions: This study provides the first nationwide analysis of hospitalization-based ACL rupture incidence in Romania, revealing marked differences by age, sex, and region. While the findings reflect only acute cases requiring inpatient care, they underscore the need for more comprehensive injury surveillance, improved access to orthopedic services, and targeted prevention strategies tailored to high-risk populations.

Background/Objectives: Periprosthetic fractures (PFs) can occur in both the upper and lower limbs, commonly resulting from falls at the same level. The frequency of PFs following total hip arthroplasty (THA) ranges from 0.045% to 4.1%, and this incidence is influenced by several factors, including age, gender, the type of prosthesis used, and existing comorbidities. Previous studies on this subject have been small in scale and did not adequately address the associated comorbidities, which pose a challenge for the aging population. This study aims to comparatively assess the incidence of THA-related PFs, immediate postoperative complications, and comorbidities in patients with PFs from three emergency hospitals. Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted from 1 January to 31 December 2024, in which 54 patients with PFs hospitalized in three emergency hospitals (Bucharest, Oradea, and Ploiești) were evaluated, divided into Group B (n = 29), Group O (n = 14), and Group P (n = 11). Results: Of all patients with PFs, 81.48% had minor complications—grade 1, 9.26% had grade 2 complications (complications requiring medical treatment or other minor interventions), and 3.70% had complications requiring surgery or invasive procedures. Clavien–Dindo grade 5 (patient death) had an incidence of 3.70%. Cardiac pathology was the most common pathology; hypertension predominated in Group O (42.85%). Alzheimer’s disease was associated in 7 patients (12.96%). Without associated pathology, about 13% of patients were identified. Diabetes mellitus also occurred frequently in 31.50%. Data analysis indicates a very weak positive correlation between the Dindo Index and the Charlson Comorbidity Index (r = 0.046), which is not statistically significant (p = 0.628). The effect size, measured by Fisher’s z, is also reported as 0.046. Conclusions: No significant differences were found among the evaluated centers regarding therapeutic approaches, postoperative complications, and associated comorbidities. Furthermore, there is insufficient evidence to suggest a significant association between the Charlson Comorbidity Index and the Clavien–Dindo Index.

Background/Objectives: Osteoporosis remains a leading cause of morbidity in postmenopausal women, yet many high-risk individuals remain undiagnosed or untreated. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of osteoporosis and osteopenia, treatment patterns, and skeletal fragility indicators in a large cohort of postmenopausal women undergoing DXA screening. Methods: We analyzed data from 1669 postmenopausal women aged 40–89 years who underwent DXA evaluation. BMD status was categorized as normal, osteopenia, or osteoporosis. Treatment status was classified based on active antiosteoporotic therapy, calcium/vitamin D supplementation, hormonal therapy (historical use), or no treatment. Logistic regression models were used to explore independent predictors of osteoporosis and treatment uptake. Results: A total of 45.0% of women had osteoporosis and 43.5% had osteopenia. Despite this, 58.5% of the population, over half of women with osteoporosis, were not receiving any active pharmacologic treatment. Bisphosphonates were the most prescribed therapy (17.9%), followed by calcium/vitamin D supplements (20.6%). A prior history of fragility fractures and radiological bone lesions were significantly associated with lower BMD (p < 0.05). Historical hormone replacement therapy (HRT) use was not associated with current BMD (p = 0.699), but women with HRT use reported significantly fewer fractures (p < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, later menopause age and low BMD status predicted higher odds of receiving active treatment. Conclusions: Our findings highlight a substantial care gap in osteoporosis management, with treatment primarily initiated reactively in more severe cases. Improved screening and earlier intervention strategies are urgently needed to prevent fractures and reduce the long-term burden of osteoporosis.

Background/Objectives: Safe disposal of unused medicines represents an increasing public health and environmental concern. Until 2024, Romanian community pharmacies collected expired medicines from the public, though implementation was inconsistent. Using a knowledge–attitude–practice (KAP) framework, this study assessed community pharmacists’ self-reported involvement in pharmaceutical waste prevention in Bihor County, Romania, one year after new legislation transferred collection responsibilities to hospital-based centers. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in May 2025 using a self-administered questionnaire comprising 22 items covering socio-demographics, professional practices, knowledge, and attitudes. Eligible participants were community pharmacists (N = 285). Results: Respondents reported high awareness and favourable attitudes toward pharmaceutical waste management: 98.2% indicated awareness of current legislation, 94.4% reported receiving training on the new regulations, 99.6% acknowledged health and environmental risks, and 98.9% expressed agreement that patient education is important. However, 55.4% reported providing disposal information only when patients requested it, while 89.8% indicated that patients rarely asked about medicine disposal. Self-reported proactive counseling increased with patient request frequency (χ²(3) = 7.914, p = 0.048), with pharmacists in the high-request group reporting substantially higher proactive counseling than those in the low-request group (83.3% vs. 42.9%). In an adjusted logistic regression, low request frequency was associated with lower odds of proactive counseling (aOR = 0.21, 95% CI: 0.05–0.98, p = 0.047). Most respondents (94.6%) perceived waste-related responsibilities, though these perceptions were only weakly related to reported counseling behaviors. Conclusions: Pharmacists reported high awareness and positive attitudes toward pharmaceutical waste management, but counseling remained reactive. Patient demand was a key correlate of counseling proactivity, underscoring the need for structured education within Romania’s hospital-based take-back system.

Osteoarthritis is a disabling condition with highly complex overall management and persistent shortcomings, contributing significantly to the global disease burden. Although research in the field has grown considerably in recent years alongside technological advancements, a cohesive and structured understanding of the evolution of the scientific literature, particularly regarding clinical management and outcome evaluation, remains insufficiently developed. To date, most bibliometric analyses in osteoarthritis have focused narrowly on specific subdomains, leaving a notable gap in comprehensive assessments of the broader clinical framework. This study addresses that gap through an integrated, structured, and visual approach using multiple bibliometric techniques targeting osteoarthritis diagnosis and management, aiming to guide future research and improve strategic development. Scientific publication in osteoarthritis has expanded exponentially, peaking in 2024 with 1234 documents. The United States led in both output and citation impact, while China showed rapid growth. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage emerged as the most influential journal. Australian institutions, especially the University of Sydney, demonstrated a remarkable ascent. Five global research clusters were identified, with the U.S. as the central node and Australia serving as a bridge between Western and Asian collaborations. Research themes evolved toward integrated models connecting biological mechanisms, therapeutic strategies, and patient-centered outcomes. This bibliometric assessment underscores exponential growth in osteoarthritis research and highlights the urgent need for more personalized, multidimensional evaluation strategies to enhance clinical translation.