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Medicina
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Impact on Human Health, Lifestyle and Quality of Care After...
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Impact on Human Health, Lifestyle and Quality of Care After COVID-19, 2nd Edition

A special issue of Medicina (ISSN 1648-9144). This special issue belongs to the section "Epidemiology & Public Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 10 September 2025 | Viewed by 2244

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Bogdana Nasui

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Community Health, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 6 Louis Pasteur Street, 400349 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Interests: lifestyle; nutrition; public health; epidemiology of chronic diseases
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Codruța Popescu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor Assistant
Department of Human Sciences, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 6 Louis Pasteur Street, 400349 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Interests: mental health; quality of life; well-being of students
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We thank authors who submitted valuable original articles to the previous Special Issue, ‘Impact on Human Health, Lifestyle and Quality of Care After COVID-19’, which undeniably benefited the research community. In light of this success, we now present the second edition of this Special Issue.

The COVID-19 pandemic induced many changes in the lifestyles of people of all ages. Many countries adopted measures to restrict individuals’ movement as part of efforts to reduce the number of people infected with COVID-19. These measures led to social isolation, working from home, the home-schooling of children and students, and a lack of physical activity. Social distancing and sedentary behaviors are associated with high levels of anxiety, depression, low mood and sleep disturbances. Sedentary behaviors and screen time may also be associated with nutrition changes and weight gain. Moreover, remote working has continued after the pandemic as an alternative to physical work, or in hybrid working modes in some economic areas. It has been demonstrated that acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV-2) can trigger the presentation or exacerbation of autoimmune diseases. In addition, the consequences of the pandemic must be evaluated with regard to people who suffered from functional limitations before COVID-19, as their physical and mental condition may have been affected by the pandemic.

In this Special Issue, we will discuss the long-term impacts of lifestyle changes on and the consequences of the pandemic for human health to improve patient quality of life.

Dr. Bogdana Nasui
Guest Editor

Dr. Codruta Popescu
Guest Editor Assistant

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Medicina is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • lifestyle changes
  • weight gain
  • physical activity
  • remote working
  • distance learning
  • mental health
  • autoimmune diseases
  • chronic diseases

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

22 pages, 945 KiB  
Article
Beyond the Classroom: The Role of Social Connections and Family in Adolescent Mental Health in the Transylvanian Population of Romania
by Alexandra-Ioana Roșioară, Bogdana Adriana Năsui, Nina Ciuciuc, Dana Manuela Sîrbu, Daniela Curșeu, Ștefan Cristian Vesa, Codruța Alina Popescu and Monica Popa
Medicina 2025, 61(6), 1031; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina61061031 - 2 Jun 2025
Viewed by 186
Abstract
Background and Objectives: This study explores gender variations in the associations between lifestyle choices, mental health, and social behaviors among adolescents in the Transylvania region of Romania. The analysis is based on data obtained through the Global School-Based Student Health Survey (GSHS). [...] Read more.
Background and Objectives: This study explores gender variations in the associations between lifestyle choices, mental health, and social behaviors among adolescents in the Transylvania region of Romania. The analysis is based on data obtained through the Global School-Based Student Health Survey (GSHS). Materials and Methods: Data on 900 Romanian adolescents aged 11–18 years were obtained via the GSHS. This study evaluated nutritional statuses through BMI Z-scores, employing World Health Organization (WHO) cut-offs applied to self-reported height and weight; furthermore, it assessed well-being and perceived health; worries and sleep anxiety; social connections through having friends, loneliness, peer support, and emotional support; parental bonding relations; experiences of being bullied; safety and protection factors, including distance learning during the COVID-19 pandemic and testing or vaccinations for COVID-19; and social behaviors, including the use of social networks. A multiple logistic regression was used to predict sleep disturbance anxiety, depending on sex, bullying, cyberbullying, loneliness, social network use, and peer support. Results: Results showed that the majority of the adolescents reported having one or more friends (96.8%), with no significant difference between girls and boys (p = 0.071). There were no statistically significant differences in bullying and cyberbullying experiences between sexes (p = 0.063). Notably, gender disparities exist in both health perceptions and risk behaviors, with girls experiencing higher rates of negative health perceptions, sleep anxiety (p < 0.001), and loneliness (p = 0.011) and boys exhibiting more overweight/obesity (p < 0.001) and school truancy (p = 0.027). According to the results, loneliness is significantly associated with a higher likelihood of sleep-disturbing anxiety (p < 0.001). Students who have experienced cyberbullying are more likely to also experience traditional bullying. Students who feel lonely are more likely to be victims of bullying. Conclusions: This study reveals significant gender disparities in adolescent health, particularly in mental health, risk behaviors, and social support. It highlights the need for gender-specific interventions to address these challenges and promote healthy development. Furthermore, this study emphasizes the importance of social connections, family support, and parental involvement in adolescent well-being. Addressing bullying, promoting mental health awareness, and providing accessible support services are crucial for improving adolescent health in Romania. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impact on Human Health, Lifestyle and Quality of Care After COVID-19, 2nd Edition)
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16 pages, 324 KiB  
Article
Biomarker Patterns and Their Association with Lung Injury in COVID-19 Patients
by Alexandru Constantin Sîrbu, Anca Daniela Farcaș, Ioana Corina Bocsan, Maria Adriana Neag, Ștefan Cristian Vesa, Șoimița Mihaela Suciu and Anca Dana Buzoianu
Medicina 2025, 61(5), 931; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina61050931 - 21 May 2025
Viewed by 148
Abstract
Background and Objectives: The study investigates the relationship between accessible biomarkers and the extent of lung damage, assessed with computed tomography (CT) imaging, in patients hospitalized for COVID-19. Materials and Methods: This retrospective analysis was conducted in a hospital in Cluj-Napoca, [...] Read more.
Background and Objectives: The study investigates the relationship between accessible biomarkers and the extent of lung damage, assessed with computed tomography (CT) imaging, in patients hospitalized for COVID-19. Materials and Methods: This retrospective analysis was conducted in a hospital in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, and it includes 111 patients diagnosed with moderate to severe forms of COVID-19 during the Delta and Omicron waves. We evaluated the association of affordable lab works, such as C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin, ferritin, neutrophil and lymphocyte counts, D-dimers, and albumin levels, with the extents of lung injury, pleural effusion, pulmonary embolism, and thoracic adenopathy. Results: Our data show that high CRP, neutrophil counts, ferritin, and procalcitonin levels, combined with lower lymphocyte and albumin levels, were significantly associated with >25% lung damage (p < 0.05). Elevated ferritin (≥274 ng/mL) and neutrophil counts (≥5.2 × 109/L) were independently associated with this threshold. CRP (≥2.67 mg/dL), CRP/albumin ratio (≥0.736), and ferritin had the highest sensitivity (86.8%). D-dimer was the sole biochemical marker associated with pulmonary embolism (p = 0.036). Pleural effusion was independently associated with lymphocyte count (cut-off < 0.605 × 109/L, p = 0.013). Thoracic lymphadenopathy was also associated with increased neutrophil counts and a heightened inflammatory response. Conclusions: These findings suggest that ferritin and the CRP/albumin ratio can serve as indicators for patients with extensive parenchymal damage. D-dimer levels were the only ones significantly associated with thromboembolic events, while lymphopenia appears to be a useful indicator of pleural involvement. Thus, these readily available biomarkers can prove useful in anticipating radiological severity in patients hospitalized with COVID-19. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impact on Human Health, Lifestyle and Quality of Care After COVID-19, 2nd Edition)
17 pages, 599 KiB  
Article
Coping Strategies Among Healthcare Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Emotional Responses, Challenges, and Adaptive Practices
by Aida Puia, Sorina Rodica Pop, Bianca Olivia Cojan Manzat, Sebastian Pintea, Ion Cosmin Puia and Mihaela Fadgyas-Stanculete
Medicina 2025, 61(2), 311; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina61020311 - 11 Feb 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1436
Abstract
Background and Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic has posed unprecedented challenges to healthcare workers, leading to significant psychological distress, altered health-related behaviors, and reliance on various coping mechanisms. Understanding these impacts is critical for developing targeted interventions to support healthcare professionals. This study [...] Read more.
Background and Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic has posed unprecedented challenges to healthcare workers, leading to significant psychological distress, altered health-related behaviors, and reliance on various coping mechanisms. Understanding these impacts is critical for developing targeted interventions to support healthcare professionals. This study aimed to evaluate the psychological stressors, emotional responses, changes in healthy behaviors, and coping mechanisms employed by healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study further examined differences across demographic and professional groups and explored correlations between stressors, coping strategies, and emotional outcomes. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 338 healthcare workers, including physicians and nurses, in urban and rural healthcare settings during the pandemic. Data were collected using validated instruments to measure emotional responses (anxiety and anger), lifestyle behaviors (dietary habits, sleep patterns, physical activity, and smoking), and coping strategies. Statistical analyses included descriptive, inferential, and correlation techniques to assess relationships between variables. Results: Fear of infecting family members (M = 3.36, SD = 0.86) and concerns about inadequate protective equipment (M = 2.80, SD = 0.95) were the most significant stressors, strongly associated with heightened anxiety and anger. Changes in healthy behaviors were observed: 69.2% maintained a healthy meal schedule, 56.5% reported disrupted sleep patterns, and only 39.6% engaged in regular physical activity. Among smokers (27.5%), 31.1% increased smoking as a maladaptive coping strategy, while 21.1% reduced smoking. Nurses predominantly relied on emotion-focused strategies, such as religious coping and venting, whereas physicians favored problem-focused strategies like planning and active coping. Social support emerged as a protective factor, mitigating stress and facilitating adaptive coping. Conclusions: The study revealed significant psychological and behavioral impacts on healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Key stressors included the fear of infecting family members, concerns about inadequate protective measures, and the prolonged uncertainty of the pandemic, which contributed to heightened levels of anxiety and anger. Changes in healthy behaviors, such as disrupted sleep patterns, decreased physical activity, and increased reliance on maladaptive coping mechanisms, further underscored the multifaceted challenges faced by healthcare professionals. Although the acute phase of the pandemic has passed, the long-term consequences on the mental health and well-being of healthcare workers remain critical concerns. Further research is essential to develop effective strategies for monitoring, preventing, and addressing psychological distress among healthcare professionals, ensuring their preparedness for future public health crises. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impact on Human Health, Lifestyle and Quality of Care After COVID-19, 2nd Edition)
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