Forty percent of patients with acute coronary occlusion myocardial infarction (OMI) do not present with STEMI criteria, which delays their treatment and increases morbidity and mortality. The need to identify these patients promptly is crucial, and this sets the stage for the proposed reclassification. Many of these patients can be identified by other ECG and clinical features. Background/Objectives: We sought to evaluate cases of STEMI and NSTEMI that result in OMI. Additionally, we focused on the consequences of delayed revascularization in NSTEMI patients with acute coronary occlusion (NSTEMI-OMI). Methods: The study is a retrospective analysis conducted on 334 patients who underwent coronary angiography for acute coronary syndrome at UHC “Mother Teresa”, Tirana, Albania, during January–May 2023. “OMI was defined as an acute culprit lesion with TIMI 0–2 flow, or an acute culprit lesion with TIMI 3 flow intervened upon and with highly elevated troponin (cTnI > 10.0 ng/mL, hs-cTnI > 5000 ng/L)”. The presence or absence of STEMI criteria were determined in the final diagnosis written on the chart by a cardiologist using the third universal definition of MI. Ejection fraction (EF), total ischemia time, length of stay, and complications were compared between groups. Mechanical complications include acute ventricular failure, cardiogenic shock, rupture of the interventricular septum, rupture of the free wall, rupture of the papillary muscle, and pericarditis. Electrical complications include ventricular arrhythmias, supraventricular arrhythmias, and atrioventricular and interventricular blocks. Results: There were 334 patients included, 98 (29.3%) of whom were NSTEMI-OMI patients. Ninety-six patients (40%) of OMI patients did not fulfill the STEMI criteria. Only 11 patients (11%) of STEMI(−)OMI had PCI performed within the first 12 h vs. 76 patients (77%) with STEMI(+)OMI, p < 0.001. There was no difference in the percent of patients requiring PCI between the STEMI(+)OMI 98 patients (93%) and STEMI(−)OMI 87 patients (89%) (p = 0.496). The overall in-hospital mortality was 19 patients (5.7%), with subgroup mortality of 14 patients (4.2%) with STEMI(+)OMI, 2 patients (0.6%) with STEMI(+) NOMI, and 3 patients (0.9%) with STEMI(−)OMI, 0% STEMI(−)NOMI, (p = 0.013). Patients with mechanical complications included 67 patients (46.8%) with STEMI(+)OMI and 45 patients (46.4%) with STEMI(−)OMI. In addition, 26 patients (18.5%) with STEMI(+)OMI and 13 patients (13.1%) with STEMI(−)OMI developed electrical complications. Conclusions: STEMI(−)OMI patients had significant delays in catheterization, yet had angiographic findings, rates of PCI, and complications similar to STEMI(+)OMI. These data add further support to refocusing the paradigm of acute MI to improve recognition and rapid reperfusion of all OMIs, rather than only those with STEMI criteria.

We assessed the prevalence and socioeconomic and behavioural correlates of hypertension in the young to middle-aged population of Albania, a transitional post-communist country in the Western Balkans. We analysed a sample of 2,837 men and 3,580 women aged 15 to 49 from the 2008/2009 Albanian Demographic and Health Survey. Hypertension was defined as SBP≥140 mm Hg, or DBP≥90 mm Hg, or if the subjects were under treatment for hypertension. Data on demographic and socioeconomic characteristics and behavioural factors were also collected. Logistic regression was used to assess the association of hypertension with covariates. Hypertension was significantly higher among men (27.3 %) than women (20.0 %), and significantly increased with age. The harmful effect of excessive weight and obesity on hypertension was stronger among women than among men and this effect increased with age, especially in women. Smoking and alcohol were risk factors for hypertension in men, but not women. Education had a protective effect on hypertension in women but not in men.

Enamel hypoplasia (EH) is a qualitative defect, and it can have a significant impact on oral health. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of enamel hypoplasia in urban area in Albania. Methodology: In total, 234 children of both sexes aged 8–12 years old were randomly selected in five schools in Tirana, Albania. They underwent an intra-oral examination. Diagnostic criteria were in accordance with a European meeting on MIH held in Athens, 2003, and the FDI. Medical history was retrieved using questionnaires, and data obtained from clinical examination were recorded. Results: The prevalence of enamel hypoplasia was 12.8%. The most commonly occurring enamel hypoplasia was the mild type (58.62%). The mandibular first molar showed the highest prevalence of enamel hypoplasia (19.5%), and the maxillary canines and premolars were the least affected (2.3%). In this study, medical story did not have a significant effect on enamel hypoplasia. Conclusions: The prevalence of enamel hypoplasia remains high at 12.8%. Interestingly, the features of enamel hypoplasia were consistent across both sexes, with no correlation found between them. The predominant occurrence of mild enamel hypoplasia underscores the importance of implementing oral hygiene strategies in schools to mitigate its progression.

Tori are bony growths in the mouth caused by genetic and environmental factors. Oral tori may grow over time and interfere with oral hygiene, speech, mastication, and the application of dentures. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and patterns of torus mandibularis and torus palatinus according to age and gender among people in Albania. A single-center pilot study was conducted at Diamond Dental Hospital (DDH) from 1 February to 30 April 2024 in Tirana, Albania. Written consent was obtained from each participant. The patients were interviewed by one trained researcher and examined intraorally by one experienced examiner. Photographs were taken of any positive findings. The prevalence of oral tori in this sample from Albania was very high at 48%, and the peak incidence was in the 18–29 age group (54%). The most common type was torus mandibularis, with a prevalence of 39%. The most prevalent form of torus palatinus was flat (71%) and of torus mandibularis was solitary bilateral (48%). This single-center pilot study found a high prevalence of oral tori among people in Tirana, Albania. Its prevalence was not related to gender or bruxism. Dental professionals should note the high occurrence of oral tori and their importance in dental practice.

Background: Psychological distress, including stress and depressive symptoms, is common among people with diabetes and may negatively influence self-management and clinical outcomes in primary care settings. Objective: To assess and compare levels of perceived stress and depression among patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods: This cross-sectional study included 297 patients with diabetes recruited using convenience sampling from eight primary care centers in Prishtina, Kosovo, between March 2025 and August 2025. Perceived stress was measured using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), while depressive symptoms were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Demographic characteristics and selected clinical parameters, including waist circumference and systolic and diastolic blood pressure, were obtained from medical records. Categorical and continuous variables were analyzed using chi-square and Mann–Whitney U tests, with Cramér’s V measuring categorical effect size. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: Patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) were significantly younger than patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Exploratory item-level analysis of perceived stress did not demonstrate consistent differences between the groups; however, interpretation of stress-related findings should be approached cautiously due to the low internal consistency of the PSS in the present sample. Depressive symptom severity differed significantly between groups (p = 0.005, Cramér’s V = 0.224). Conclusion: Significant differences were observed in depressive symptom severity between patients with T1DM and T2DM, whereas interpretation of perceived stress findings remains limited. Although these findings support the importance of psychological assessment in diabetes care, they should be interpreted cautiously given the cross-sectional design and methodological limitations of the study. Healthcare professionals, including physicians and nurses, should routinely screen for depression in diabetes care and provide appropriate follow-up or referral based on symptom severity.

Background/Objectives: Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria (CSU) is a skin disorder marked by recurrent wheals and itching, with or without angioedema, which can greatly affect the quality of life. Vitamin D has been implicated in the pathophysiology of various immune-mediated conditions, including CSU. The connection between vitamin D levels, patients’ perceived symptoms, and life impact remains unexplored. This study aims to elucidate vitamin D levels and their correlation with perceived disease-related burden in individuals with CSU. Methods: PROM-based questionnaires, serum 25(OH)D levels, and BMI were statistically analyzed in high-disease-activity CSU, among hospitalized and outpatients who attended the main tertiary hospital center during a 1-year period. These data were compared with a control group, after obtaining their consent. Results: The study included 104 patients, 74 (71.15%) females, mean age 43.17 ± 18.26 years, and 23 controls, 12 (52.17%) females, mean age 44.61 ± 12.77 years. Levels of 25(OH)D were significantly lower in patients compared to controls and in the hospitalized versus the outpatient group (p < 0.05). Suboptimal 25(OH)D was found in 94.23% of patients (mean level 18.29 ± 6.74 ng/mL) and 82.61% of controls (mean 24.01 ± 7.44 ng/mL). A BMI > 25 kg/m² was found in 71 (68.3%) patients and 11 (47.83%) controls. Age was not significantly correlated with vitamin D levels. A significant positive correlation was found between vitamin D levels and the perceived bothersomeness score of urticarial elements and pruritus. Age was negatively correlated with perceived bothersomeness of pruritus. Irrespective of 25(OH)D levels, perceived bothersomeness of urticarial elements positively correlated with scores for angioedema, pruritus, and the impact of CSU on life and daily activities. Life and daily activities impact scores were also positively correlated with angioedema and pruritus. Conclusions: Suboptimal levels of 25(OH)D were common in CSU patients, especially among hospitalized patients, and were significantly lower compared with controls, suggesting a potential link between low vitamin D status and high disease activity. PROMs did not show a significant association between lower vitamin D levels and worse scores for perceived bothersomeness of urticarial elements, angioedema, pruritus, or impact on life and daily activities.