Only a few studies seem to address suicidality as an effect of the COVID-19 pandemic in persons previously affected by psychiatric disorders. The relationship between fear and stress caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the level of social support and suicidality in patients diagnosed with affective and stress-induced psychiatric disorders prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic were investigated. This study was observational and involved 100 participants. The examined period was from April 2020 to April 2022. The Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S), the Oslo Social Support Scale 3 (OSSS-3) and general psychiatric interviews were used to obtain data. A statistically significant relationship between the impact of COVID-19-related distress on the occurrence of suicidality and the year of the pandemic χ²(2, N = 100) = 8.347, p = 0.015 was observed. No statistically significant correlation was found between suicidal behavior, stress intensity, fear and the score on the social support scale (p > 0.05). Fear related to the COVID-19 pandemic can only be seen as a contributor to suicidality. Overall, social support does not always act protectively. Previously stressful experiences such as wars, poverty and natural disasters seem to play a significant role in the resilience to each new public health crisis.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a significant public health challenge in Serbia, mirroring the situation in other European middle-income countries. The aims of this study were to examine the disease-related characteristics and management of diabetes, as well as the prevalence of use of dietary supplements (DS) among diabetes patients in Serbia, and to analyze the effects of the coronavirus pandemic on DM patients in Serbia. The study was carried out as an online, observational, cross-sectional study involving 422 adult diabetes type 1 (DM1) and type 2 (DM2) patients residing in Serbia. DM1 patients were more likely than DM2 patients to self-control glucose levels (p < 0.001). Almost one-third of DM2 patients (31.4%) did not know their HbA1c value. Polypharmacy has been reported by 9.7% of DM1 patients and 23.5% of DM2 patients. During the coronavirus pandemic increased anxiety levels for one-third of respondents was noticed. The prevalence of DS use among DM patients was very high (95.3%), with vitamin C, zinc, vitamin D and magnesium being the most commonly used. Women were more likely to use vitamin D (p = 0.001) and magnesium DS (p = 0.005) than men. Most patients (76.9%) faced limited access to healthcare services during the coronavirus pandemic with, sometimes, detrimental consequences. A significant portion of respondents (41.2%) consulted a pharmacist more often in 2021 than in previous years. Special caution is needed regarding the potential interactions of DS with chronic therapy. To enhance diabetes care, Serbia needs more accessible mental health support, improved diabetes education, expanded CGM availability, and carefully planned emergency healthcare measures for chronic patients.

Simvastatin (SIM), a commonly used lipid-lowering drug, exhibits pleiotropic effects with potential for dermatological applications. This study aimed to analyze the in vitro release and rheological properties of SIM from three extemporaneously prepared topical formulations. Formulations were prepared from commercially available SIM tablets. A structured risk assessment confirmed the low-risk profile of these preparations. SIM content and dissolution profiles were evaluated using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). In vitro release testing was conducted using vertical diffusion cells fabricated by using fused deposition modeling (FDM) technology of 3D printing with polylactic acid (PLA). The cream demonstrated the most favorable release characteristics, while the ointment exhibited the greatest resistance to rheological alteration following incorporation of powdered tablets. The 3D-printed diffusion cells ensured reproducibility and adaptability for topical product evaluation. Thixotropy was observed in all tested formulations. Overall, elastic behavior dominated, and the effect of tablet powder on viscosity and structure varied depending on the formulation base. Formulation type significantly influenced SIM release and rheological properties. The findings highlight the utility of low-cost 3D-printed diffusion systems in preclinical topical research and support further translational development of repurposed SIM formulations for skin-related indications.