Drăguș Laurențiu

Dr. Drăguș Laurențiu

orcid

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

View All Publications
10 October 2025 in Diseases
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
APAna-Maria Paslaru
Ana-Maria Paslaru
BIBounegru Iulian
Bounegru Iulian
DLDrăguș Laurențiu
Drăguș Laurențiu
ACAnamaria Ciubara
Anamaria Ciubara
Background: Cancer, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and psychiatric comorbidities such as depression and anxiety frequently coexist, with shared mechanisms involving systemic inflammation and neuroinflammatory pathways. Understanding these interactions is critical for improving multidisciplinary oncological care. Methods: We conducted a monocentric cross-sectional study (n = 174). Beyond descriptive and univariate analyses, we fitted multivariable models: linear regressions (HADS-Anxiety/Depression) with robust HC3 errors and the predictors ECOG, T2DM, age, sex, and residence, and logistic regression for ECOG ≥ 3. We assessed collinearity and model fit, and performed sensitivity checks. Results: Psychiatric comorbidity was present in 58% of patients, while more than 80% of those with available HADS data (n = 136) exceeded the clinical threshold for anxiety or depression. No significant differences in ECOG status were observed between patients with and without T2DM (mean ECOG 2.5 in both groups). Higher ECOG remained positively associated with both HADS-Depression (adjusted β = 2.77, 95% CI −1.03–6.57, p = 0.149) and HADS-Anxiety (β = 1.62, 95% CI −2.76–6.00, p = 0.468), although not statistically significantly. T2DM showed no independent association with either outcome (Depression β = −2.91, p = 0.130; Anxiety β = −0.80, p = 0.595). In logistic regression, T2DM was not significantly associated with ECOG ≥ 3 (aOR = 3.58, 95% CI 0.23–56.66, p = 0.365). Conclusions: The psychiatric burden is high among Romanian cancer patients, irrespective of T2DM status, and strongly associated with functional decline. These findings support the relevance of a neuroinflammatory framework linking somatic comorbidities and psychological distress. Routine psychiatric screening, early intervention, and integration of psycho-oncology into multidisciplinary care are recommended. Future prospective studies should incorporate inflammatory biomarkers to better define underlying mechanisms.

3 September 2026 in Life
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
RVRares Nicolae Vadana
Rares Nicolae Vadana
AMAdrian Maier
Adrian Maier
DLDrăguș Laurențiu
Drăguș Laurențiu
ȘRȘtefan Roșca
Ștefan Roșca
SMSimona-Dana Mitincu-Caramfil
Simona-Dana Mitincu-Caramfil
LRLaura –Florentina Rebegea
Laura –Florentina Rebegea
Background: Despite advances in prostate cancer (PC) radiotherapy, including intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT), and stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT), genitourinary (GU) and gastrointestinal (GI) toxicities remain important complications. Identifying reliable predictors is essential for personalized treatment. Objective: The aim of this study was to summarize current evidence on clinical, dosimetric, immunological, and genetic predictors of acute and late GU and GI toxicities after PC radiotherapy. Materials and Methods: A structured literature review of studies published between 2000 and 2026 was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, and Europe PMC. Eligible studies included clinical investigations, randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, and reviews assessing toxicity according to RTOG and/or CTCAE criteria. Results: GU toxicity was associated with pretreatment International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), large prostate volume, prior TURP, smoking, alpha-blocker use, and bladder/urethral dose. GI toxicity correlated with rectal dose–volume parameters, anorectal irradiation, anticoagulant therapy, and cardiovascular comorbidities. Acute grade ≥ 2 toxicity predicts late toxicity. Preliminary data from small single-center cohorts associate elevated IL-6, TGF-β1, TNF-α, and systemic immune-inflammation index with higher toxicity risk, and higher lymphocyte counts with lower risk; these findings require prospective validation. The PROSTOX radiogenomic signature is promising for the prediction of late GU toxicity but still requires independent external validation in larger, ethnically diverse cohorts with longer follow-up, and is not currently suitable for routine clinical decision-making. Conclusions: GU and GI toxicities have distinct predictive profiles. Integrating clinical, dosimetric, immunological, and genetic factors may improve personalized radiotherapy, although prospective multicenter validation remains necessary.

14 July 2026 in Dentistry Journal
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
DLDrăguș Laurențiu
Drăguș Laurențiu
MRMagdalena Rusu-Negraia
Magdalena Rusu-Negraia
SMSimona-Dana Mitincu-Caramfil
Simona-Dana Mitincu-Caramfil
CFCatalina Andreea Florea
Catalina Andreea Florea
IRIonela Violeta Ragea
Ionela Violeta Ragea
MMMarius Moroianu
Marius Moroianu
Background: Dental anxiety constitutes a prevalent barrier to oral healthcare utilization, yet patient-centered data on its prevalence, symptom profile, and preferred management strategies remain scarce in Romanian adult populations. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the prevalence and demographic correlates of self-reported dental anxiety, identify the most anxiety-provoking procedures, evaluate the perceived efficacy of anxiety-reduction strategies, and characterize patient preferences for improved anxiety management in the dental setting. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted using an anonymous 18-item online questionnaire (Google Forms) among 223 Romanian adults (≥18 years), recruited via convenience sampling between May and June 2025. Descriptive statistics, Pearson’s chi-square tests, Fisher’s exact test, Cramér’s V, and ordinal logistic regression (proportional odds model) were applied (Python 3.11; pandas, scipy, statsmodels). Results: Any degree of self-reported pre-procedural anxiety was endorsed by 60.5% of respondents, with 11.7% reporting moderate-to-severe levels. In the fully adjusted multivariable model (Model 2), female sex (OR = 1.80, 95% CI: 1.04–3.14, p = 0.037) and chronic medical conditions (OR = 3.84, 95% CI: 1.21–12.20, p = 0.022) were independent predictors of higher anxiety severity, although the chronic disease estimate was based on a small subgroup (n = 13) and its wide confidence interval indicates limited precision. Tooth extractions (49.8%) and periodontal surgery (39.5%) were the most anxiety-provoking procedures. Despite this high prevalence of self-reported anxiety, 66.4% of participants had never employed any coping strategy. Detailed procedural explanations provided by the clinician were consistently identified as the dominant patient-preferred intervention across four independent survey items (endorsed by 24.7–77.6% of respondents). A highly significant association was observed between anxiety status and perceived inadequacy of staff anxiety management (χ2 = 22.406, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Self-reported dental anxiety affects the majority of this Romanian adult sample, with communication-based strategies representing the primary patient-centered priority. These findings support integrating structured communication training and standardized anxiety screening into routine dental practice.

26 August 2026 in Behavioral Sciences
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
IRIonela Violeta Ragea
Ionela Violeta Ragea
SMSimona-Dana Mitincu-Caramfil
Simona-Dana Mitincu-Caramfil
MRMagdalena Rusu-Negraia
Magdalena Rusu-Negraia
CPCatalin Plesea-Condratovici
Catalin Plesea-Condratovici
VAValeriu Ardeleanu
Valeriu Ardeleanu
Lavinia Alexandra MoroianuLavinia Alexandra Moroianu
Lavinia Alexandra Moroianu
Substance use disorders (SUDs) represent a major psychiatric and public health burden. Although integrated biopsychosocial approaches combining pharmacotherapy with psychosocial and behavioral interventions are recommended by international guidelines, real-world evidence on their effectiveness in acute emergency settings remains scarce, particularly in Eastern European healthcare contexts. This single-center, retrospective, observational study examined behavioral and psychosocial predictors of clinical response and compared an integrated therapeutic strategy (pharmacotherapy combined with psychosocial and behavioral interventions) with pharmacotherapy alone among all emergency psychiatric admissions for SUDs (ICD-10 F10–F19) at the Clinical Psychiatric Hospital “Elisabeta Doamna,” Galați, Romania, between January 2020 and December 2024 (N = 331; census sampling). The primary outcome was clinical status at discharge (improved/stationary/worsened). Patients receiving the integrated strategy showed a significantly higher improvement rate at discharge than those receiving pharmacotherapy alone (98.3% vs. 76.3%; OR = 17.88; 95% CI: 5.62–56.91; p < 0.001). A hospitalization window of 4–14 days was associated with optimal outcomes. In an exploratory logistic regression analysis, older age (≥51 years) and unemployment emerged as independent psychosocial predictors of suboptimal response. These findings suggest that integrating behavioral and psychosocial interventions with pharmacotherapy is associated with superior discharge outcomes in acute SUD management; given the observational, non-randomized design, these results should be regarded as hypothesis-generating rather than causal, pending confirmation in prospective multicenter studies before informing behaviorally informed triage and risk stratification in emergency psychiatry.

26 August 2026 in Diseases
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
Lavinia Alexandra MoroianuLavinia Alexandra Moroianu
Lavinia Alexandra Moroianu
DLDrăguș Laurențiu
Drăguș Laurențiu
ȘRȘtefan Roșca
Ștefan Roșca
MRMagdalena Rusu-Negraia
Magdalena Rusu-Negraia
VAValeriu Ardeleanu
Valeriu Ardeleanu
SCSimona Dana Mitincu Caramfil
Simona Dana Mitincu Caramfil
Background/Objectives: Oral structural and functional impairment and depressive outcomes frequently coexist in older adults, but the strength and interpretation of their association remain uncertain. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated whether poorer oral status or function is associated with depressive outcomes in older populations. Methods: Six databases were searched for observational studies published from 1 January 2016 to 5 January 2026, with an update on 19 April 2026. Eligible studies examined oral impairment as the exposure and depressive outcomes as the endpoint in older adults. Risk of bias was assessed using Newcastle–Ottawa criteria and certainty using GRADE. Comparable adjusted odds ratios (ORs) were pooled using random-effects meta-analysis with restricted maximum likelihood and Hartung–Knapp adjustment; non-comparable metrics were synthesized separately. Results: Thirty studies were included; fifteen contributed to the primary OR meta-analysis. In the primary model, poorer oral status or function was associated with higher odds of adverse depressive outcomes (OR = 1.61, 95% CI: 1.31–1.99), although between-study heterogeneity was substantial (I2 = 88.1%). In the trim-and-fill sensitivity analysis, the pooled estimate decreased to OR = 1.29 (95% CI: 0.99–1.69; p = 0.0584) and no longer reached conventional statistical significance. The certainty of the primary evidence was very low. Conclusions: Poorer oral structural or functional status is associated with worse depressive outcomes in older adults, but the magnitude is heterogeneous and sensitive to small-study-effect assumptions. The evidence remains observational and of very low certainty and should be interpreted as hypothesis-generating rather than causal or treatment evidence.