Background/Objectives: Cystic fibrosis (CF) care in Romania underwent a major transition in 2022 with the near-simultaneous introduction of newborn screening (NBS) and national reimbursement of CFTR modulator therapies. This study aimed to compare age at diagnosis between screen-detected and symptom-detected patients, describe clinical outcomes according to modulator status, and estimate regional case-detection ratios in Bihor County. Methods: This was a retrospective observational study with cross-sectional assessment of 46 CF patients followed at the National Cystic Fibrosis Centre in Timișoara during 2025. Nonparametric methods were used for exploratory comparisons. Case-to-live-birth ratios were estimated for pre-screening (2008–June 2022) and post-screening (July 2022–2024) periods in Bihor County. Results: Median age was 8.96 years (IQR 7.06–15.25); 58.7% of patients were male. Screen-detected patients (n = 5) were diagnosed earlier than symptom-detected patients (median 0.00 vs. 0.60 years; p = 0.016). F508del was present in 65.2% of alleles, with 22 distinct variants identified. Modulator therapy was received by 84.8% (76.1% elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor). Median percent-predicted FEV₁ (ppFEV₁) was 99.0% (n = 38), comparable to ECFSPR 2024 pediatric values, while median BMI Z-score (−0.32) remained below Western European benchmarks. Chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa and MRSA colonization rates were 11.4% (pediatric) and 15.2% (overall), respectively. ppFEV₁ correlated strongly with BMI Z-score (ρ = 0.625, p < 0.001). The Bihor County case-to-live-birth ratio was 1:7820, with a descriptive 1.45-fold increase post-NBS. Conclusions: CF characterization in western Romania demonstrates rapid modulator uptake and preserved lung function while highlighting persistent gaps in nutritional status, microbiological burden, and case detection relative to Western European populations. Longitudinal nationally representative studies are needed to confirm these findings.

Background/Objectives: Highly effective cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) modulator therapy has changed cystic fibrosis (CF) care, but Romanian patient-reported health-related quality of life (HRQoL) data remain limited. This national cross-sectional mixed-methods survey aimed to describe patient- and parent-reported HRQoL in Romanian people with CF (pwCF) aged ≥6 years using age-appropriate Cystic Fibrosis Questionnaire-Revised (CFQ-R) versions, with the respiratory domain as the primary outcome. Methods: The online survey was conducted between February and April 2026. Respondents provided demographic and clinical data, including genotype/F508del status, CFTR modulator status, percent predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 s (ppFEV₁) category, weight, height, and IV antibiotic-treated pulmonary exacerbations in the previous year. CFQ-R scores were summarized descriptively, and exploratory unadjusted associations were assessed using Mann–Whitney U tests and Spearman correlations. Open-ended responses were analyzed descriptively. Results: Of 67 responses, 61 were included: 43 participants aged 6–13 years and 18 aged ≥14 years. Most respondents were currently receiving CFTR modulators (52/61, 85.2%), predominantly elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor. Mean CFQ-R Respiratory scores were 74.5 ± 23.1 in parent-proxy questionnaires for children aged 6–13 years, 83.3 ± 11.8 in self-reported questionnaires for children aged 12–13 years, and 69.8 ± 27.4 among respondents aged ≥14 years. Respiratory scores were higher among currently treated respondents and those with at least one F508del variant, and lower among those reporting IV antibiotic-treated exacerbations. Treatment burden remained among the lower-scoring domains. Qualitative responses described perceived respiratory, nutritional, and functional improvements, alongside residual treatment burden, psychosocial challenges, and access-related expectations. Conclusions: This national Romanian mixed-methods survey provides descriptive, exploratory CFQ-R-based HRQoL data in the CFTR modulator era. The findings suggest more favorable respiratory HRQoL among currently treated respondents, while supporting continued multidimensional patient-reported outcome monitoring in Romanian CF care.

Background/Objectives: Upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) are a significant global health burden, and understanding the immune response is crucial for developing effective diagnostic tools and treatment strategies. Methods: This study investigated the levels of specific biomarkers in 188 patients with URTIs and their association with demographic factors, comorbidities, and clinical outcomes. Immunoglobulin A (IgA), immunoglobulin E (IgE), neutrophils, serum iron, C-reactive protein (CRP), and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were measured. Results: The median age of the patients was 5 years, with 46% being female and 63% from urban areas. Adenoiditis (37%), otitis (25%), and rhinitis (20%) were the most common diagnoses. While most biomarkers did not vary significantly by gender, neutrophil levels were significantly higher in females (p = 0.020). IgE levels were significantly elevated in rural patients compared to urban counterparts (p = 0.034). Conclusions: ESR was significantly associated with rhinitis diagnosis, and IgE and ESR were predictive of otitis in multivariate models. However, many biomarkers did not significantly correlate with other diagnoses, contradicting previous research focusing on individual biomarkers. This study highlights the complexity of immune responses in URTIs and the need for more effective diagnostic tools. The findings can inform the development of tailored treatment strategies based on gender, area of origin, and infection type.