Assessing Lifestyle Patterns and Their Influence on Weight Status in Students from a High School in Sibiu, Romania: An Adaptation of ISCOLE Questionnaires and the Child Feeding Questionnaire.

The escalation of global obesity is driving research to understand environmental influences on this process, particularly during vulnerable developmental stages such as childhood and adolescence. Efforts include the development of various structured data collection tools. We aimed to adapt a series of previously validated questionnaires from the International Study of Childhood Obesity, Lifestyle and the Environment (ISCOLE), the Child Feeding Questionnaire, and elements from the World Health Organization Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative (COSI) in order to assess local lifestyle patterns among Romanian high school students and their families that may predispose them to obesity. To this goal, an expert committee was formed as part of a research partnership to oversee the questionnaire's translation and adaptation. It consisted of education and school management specialists, clinical research professionals, language experts, and public health experts. The adapted questionnaires were then applied to 114 students enrolled in the 9th and 10th grades attending a high school situated in Sibiu, and their parents. The variables measured were investigated for correlations with overweight and obesity and, as a secondary objective, academic performance. The study revealed several critical findings, including suboptimal sleep durations and physical activity levels among students, a significant amount of screen time, and correlations between weight status and physical activity, sedentary time, and maternal weight status and education levels. The adapted questionnaires proved to be effective tools in capturing the multifaceted factors implicated in adolescent obesity, providing a foundation for targeted interventions and broader public health strategies to address this issue.

Exploring the influence of nursing diagnosis education on Romanian nurses' intention, attitudes, and behavior: a cross-sectional study.

Background and aims: The introduction of accreditation criteria for hospitals has generated increased interest in applying the nursing process to clinical practice and developing nursing care plans. Nursing diagnosis plays a pivotal role in the formulation of these care plans.The objective of the study is to investigate the correlation between nursing diagnosis education and nurses' intentions, attitudes toward the use of nursing diagnosis and the behavior in using it in practice; to explore the differences between nurses' intentions, attitudes and behavior, considering nurses' socio-demographic and professional data. Methods: A cross-sectional design was used. A web-based survey was applied to gather data. A sample of 664 hospital nurses was recruited from five Romanian hospitals. Results: Education on nursing diagnosis showed significant results in relation to nurses' intentions (F(2,126.35) = 23.99, p < 0.001), attitudes (χ2 (2, N = 664) = 44.62, p < 0.001) and behavior (F(2,167.69) = 29.53, p < 0.001) in using it in clinical practice. Nurses with education highly focused on nursing diagnosis have significantly stronger intention to use it, more positive attitudes and higher behavior in using it in clinical practice compared to nurses whose education simply had included a nursing diagnosis course, or nurses without any education on the topic. Significant differences were identified in intention (t (83.86) = -4.49, p < 0.001) and attitudes (U = 12697.50, z = -3.99, p < 0.001, r = -0.0006) of management nurses compared to clinical nurses. Conclusion: Nursing education on nursing diagnosis significantly impacts nurses' intentions, attitudes, and behavior in their daily practice. Romanian nurses display slightly positive intention and attitudes toward nursing diagnosis but need more training for effective/practical clinical application.

Patient Satisfaction with the Quality of Oral Rehabilitation Dental Services: A Comparison between the Public and Private Health System.

Measuring satisfaction can help us understand patients' expectations and adopt individualized treatment according to their expectations. In the current study, we applied the DPQ (Dental Practice Questionnaire) to analyze the degree of patient satisfaction regarding medical services in the public and private sector in a Romanian city from the central region. A group of 200 patients, 100 patients from the public sector and 100 patients from the private sector, participated in the survey. The results showed significant differences in response when patients were stratified by age, gender, visit frequency and length of time attending the same practice. Significant differences between public and private practices were encountered. Moreover, the degree of patient satisfaction was found to be related to appointment promptness/length of time and the confidentiality/ability to listen/knowledge/respect shown by the dentist, while patients' recommendations to others were influenced by dentists' explanations and warmth, followed by the appointment system and confidentiality. Patient satisfaction with oral rehabilitation dental services plays an essential role in maintaining patients' addressability, but there is a multitude of factors that can influence patients' opinions. Further analysis of the evolution of the influencing factors (causing satisfaction or dissatisfaction), in time, could provide deeper insights into the links between patient satisfaction and these factors.

Assessing Obesogenic School Environments in Sibiu County, Romania: Adapting the ISCOLE School Environment Questionnaire.

The impact of the school environment on childhood weight status has garnered significant attention in recent years. This study aimed to adapt and validate the International Study of Childhood Obesity, Lifestyle and the Environment (ISCOLE) School and Environment questionnaire in order to assess the potential obesogenic impact of school environments in Sibiu County, Romania. The ISCOLE questionnaire was chosen for its rigorous methodology. It was derived from a comprehensive study conducted across 12 countries which aimed to capture multifaceted influences on childhood weight while emphasizing educational settings in the collection of data. To guide the translation and adaptation of the questionnaire, a multidisciplinary committee was assembled which comprised experts in teaching and school administration to ensure target responder relevance, experts in clinical research to ensure methodological robustness, experts in language adaptation to preserve the original intent of the survey, and experts in public health to steer the interpretation of the results, with potential policy implications. The data were analyzed by distinguishing between urban and rural settings, and a two-step cluster analysis was implemented to identify potential intervention targets. To assess the validity of the adapted tool, the questionnaire's construct validity and internal consistency were explored. A response rate of 71.2% of the approached schools in Sibiu County was achieved. Of the 84 responding school representatives, 37 (44%) were from a rural setting. The rural schools had significantly more limited access to gymnasiums, secured lockers, showers, and bicycle racks, and exhibited more serious problems regarding the inadequate disposal of garbage in the school vicinity. A two-step cluster analysis revealed distinct school categories, providing opportunities for public policy interventions. One of these primarily concerned rural schools with limited infrastructure but with proactive practices and policies which were termed "unable but willing"; on the opposing spectrum, the category "able but unwilling" mainly comprised urban schools which had available facilities but lacked local proactive initiatives. The findings emphasize the urgent need for targeted measures to bridge these discrepancies by investing in infrastructure in rural schools and promoting active school practices and policies in urban settings. The assessment of obesogenic school environments in Sibiu County provides a pilot model for broader applications due to the diverse school landscape and supportive local authorities. The results, which were achieved using low-cost methods, can guide future educational policies, health promotion initiatives, and preventive interventions.

IGF-1 Levels are Dependent on Age, but Not Weight Status in Children.

Introduction: The intersecting pathways involved in linear growth, glucose, and lipid metabolism may play a key part in the imbalances leading to the dysmetabolic changes observed in obese children, and later adults. The growth-hormone/insulin growth factor 1 (GH/IGF-1) axis is a prime example in this regard and IGF-1 levels have been shown to correlate with insulin resistance. Objectives: The aim of this study is to examine whether there is a relationship between circulating IGF levels and weight status in children as an independent relationship, regardless of insulin sensitivity. Materials and method: We retrospectively collected data from patients aged 5-12 years referred to the Pediatric Clinical Hospital Sibiu between January 2010 and May 2023, for which IGF-1 levels were documented. We excluded patients with pathologies or medication which could have influenced weight status, glucose and lipid metabolism, or growth hormone secretion, and those with short stature or a growth velocity of under 5 cm a year. Anthropometric measurements were retrieved and BMI Z-score was calculated. Results: Our study included 66 patients (32 females and 34 males) with a mean age of 100,09 months (SD: 24,754 months). Initial bivariate analysis showed a significant negative correlation between BMI Z-score and IGF-1 values. However, adjusting for age indicated that there was in fact no significant relationship between these two parameters. Insulin-like growth factor 1 levels did however vary significantly with patient age. Conclusions: Levels of IGF-1 showed an age-dependent variation which should be accounted for in data analysis. Our study found no correlation between weight status and IGF-1 levels when adjusting for age-dependent variation. Further studies may shed light on the possible role of IGF-1 in discerning between obese children with or without increased insulin resistance.

Romanian nurses' beliefs on nursing diagnosis. A survey study based on the theory of planned behavior.

PURPOSE: To identify clusters of beliefs about nursing diagnosis (ND) among Romanian hospital nurses and to ascertain variations in attitudes, intention to use, behavior associated with the use of ND, and sociodemographic characteristics. METHODS: A cross-sectional online survey study was conducted on a convenience sample of 498 hospital nurses in Romania. The questionnaire comprises six scales measuring normative, behavioral, and control beliefs, intention to use, attitudes, and behavior toward ND. Results were reported through cluster analysis. FINDINGS: Three clusters were identified: highly positive, average, and highly negative beliefs about ND. Romanian nurses have more homogeneous beliefs regarding ND than nurses from other countries. Comparisons among clusters showed significant differences in intention [H(2) = 111.59, p < 0.001], attitudes [H(2) = 145.27, p < 0.001], and reported behavior [H(2) = 43.84, p < 0.001]. The stronger the attitude toward ND, the intention to use it, and the behavior of using ND, the more favorable the beliefs and vice versa. Significant disparities among clusters were discovered regarding education in ND, whereas differences were not observed regarding years of experience, age, and gender. CONCLUSION: Nurses exhibited different belief patterns about ND. Those with more positive beliefs demonstrated a more favorable attitude, a higher intention, and a more frequent behavior in using ND. Training in ND facilitates positive beliefs about it. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: When designing interventions to promote ND in clinical practice, policymakers, administrators, and educators should consider addressing and potentially changing these beliefs. Modifying nurses' attitudes could positively impact patient care quality during their hospital stay and post-discharge.

The quality of nursing diagnoses, interventions, and outcomes in Romanian nursing documentation measured with the Q-DIO: A cross-sectional study.

PURPOSE: To assess the quality of the nursing process in Romania by evaluating nursing documentations with the quality of diagnoses, interventions and outcomes (Q-DIO) measurement instrument. METHODS: A quantitative cross-sectional research design was employed using probabilistic sampling to select nursing documentations from a Romanian university hospital. The data were analyzed using the Q-DIO measurement instrument. FINDINGS: Low quality levels of nursing process documentation were found. The Q-DIO subscale "Nursing diagnoses as process" (assessment) revealed a mean = 1.36 (SD 0.52) of maximum 2. Nurses collected lots of data but did not use these to state nursing diagnoses. "Nursing diagnoses as product" showed inaccurate diagnoses; mean = 1.24 (SD 0.48) of maximum 4. Nursing interventions were planned and documented, but their impact on the etiology of nursing diagnoses was low; mean = 0.76 (SD 0.18). The quality of nursing outcomes mean was 0.57 (SD 0.29). Nurses failed making connections between nursing assessment, diagnoses, interventions, and outcomes, and standardized nursing languages (SNLs) were not used. Statistically significant differences were found among all Q-DIO sub-concepts except for "Nursing diagnoses as process." CONCLUSIONS: The documentation was structured but did not support the nursing process and its documentation, and SNLs were not implemented. There was an underutilization of data to state nursing diagnoses, and nursing interventions were mostly ineffective, leading to low nursing outcomes. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: This study provides new insights on the nursing process and its documentation in Romania and a baseline for future research. Policymakers, administrators, and educators should consider educating nurses to use standardized nursing languages and apply the Advanced Nursing Process.

Study to Identify and Evaluate Predictor Factors for Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma in Tertiary Prophylactic Actions.

The aim of this study is to develop a predictive model with several explanatory variables that can guide ophthalmologists to make a more objective assessment of the evolution of open-angle glaucoma (OAG) during tertiary prevention. Objectives: The evaluation of risk factors and different predictors of symptom progression between patients with POAG and non-glaucoma patients (NG), as well as between primary open-angle glaucoma with high intraocular pressure (POAG) and primary open-angle glaucoma with normal intraocular pressure (NTG), in tertiary prophylactic activities. Methods: This research is an analytical epidemiological study of a prospective cohort. For the study, we took into account personal medical history, physical ophthalmological examination, intraocular pressure (IOP) values, and visual field (VF) parameters, examined with the Opto AP-300 Automated Perimeter using the "fast threshold" strategy. The results of gonioscopy were inconsistently recorded; they were not considered in the study due to missing values, the processing of which would have seriously distorted the statistical analysis. Ophthalmological examination was completed with a dichotomous questionnaire entitled "Symptom Inventory", made according to the accusations of patients resulting from a "focus group" study. The study was carried out in the ophthalmology office within the Integrated Outpatient Clinic of the Emergency Clinical Hospital of Oradea, Bihor County (IOCECHO) between January−December 2021. The threshold of statistical significance was defined for p value < 0.05. The obtained results were statistically processed with specialized software SPSS 22. Results: The study included 110 people, of which 71 (64.54%) had POAG (IOP > 21 mmHg) and 39 people (35.46%) had NTG (IOP < 21 mmHg), the two groups being statistically significantly different (χ2 = 9.309, df = 1, p = 0.002). For the POAG group, glaucomatous loss was early, AD < −6 dB, according to the staging of glaucomatous disease, HODAPP classification. In addition, the groups of POAG and NTG patients was compared with a group of 110 NG patients, these three groups being statistically significantly different (χ2 = 34.482, df = 2, p = 0.000). Analysis of confounding factors (age, sex, residence, marital status) shows a statistically significant relationship only for age (F = 2.381, df = 40, p = 0.000). Sex ratio for the study groups = 5.11 for OAG and =5.87 for NG. After treatment (prostaglandin analogues and neuroprotective drugs) IOP decreased statistically significantly for both POAG and NTG. Conclusions: this study identified possible predictors of OAG, at the 5% level (risk factors and symptoms as independent variables) using a dichotomous questionnaire tool with a complementary role in tertiary prophylactic activities. The implementation of the focus group interview results as a socio-human research technique will be supportive to clinicians.

The Impact of Changes regarding Working Circumstances during COVID-19 Pandemic upon Patients Evaluated for Thyroid Dysfunction.

We evaluated patients who presented with thyroid dysfunction correlated symptoms that started when the Government took important measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19. These measures have influenced the safety of many people's jobs. Data were collected from 378 patients that were clinically evaluated at the Endocrinology Department, between September 2020 and January 2021. Their health status modifications were statistically analyzed in correlation with their life and work changes. These changes were induced by measures associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. The lifestyle changes correlated with the COVID-19 pandemic have been present in both categories of patients: euthyroid and dysthyroid patients; 87.50% of euthyroid patients physically felt the pandemic-induced changes in their lives. It resulted in changes in lifestyle and job insecurity has a statistically significant influence (p < 0.01) on their state of health. The presence of life/work changes in men is strongly reflected in their state of health (p = 0.0004). Work instability that occurred as a side effect of the COVID-19 pandemic induced symptoms that made many people believe they have an endocrinology disorder.

Detection of Intraocular Hypertension during Opportunity Screening (Check-Up Medical Inspections).

The aim of the study is the early detection of OHT (Ocular hypertension) in patients, in the activity of secondary prophylaxis (opportunity screening-medical check-up), to prevent blindness caused by POAG (Primary Open Angle Glaucoma). In Romania, medical examination of personnel with responsibilities in Transport Safety (TS) is legally regulated, being mandatory as a result of the internal transposition of European legislation in the field. The addressability of the patients for examination was determined by personal choice, depending on the accessibility of the medical service on the profile market (availability and price). The design of the study is epidemiological, observational, descriptive and retrospective. The standardized medical protocol included: personal medical history (anamnesis), physical ophthalmological examination, Intraocular pressure (IOP) measurement and Visual Field (VF) performance, with Automated Perimeter "Optopol PTS 910" through "Fast Threshold" strategy. The specialized medical research was completed with a dichotomous questionnaire entitled "Symptom Inventory", made according to the recommendations of patients resulting from "Focus group" research. The study was carried out within the "Check-up" type medical controls upon request, only for personnel with positions in Transport Safety (TS), during January−December 2021 at S.C. ARTIMED S.R.L. Oradea, Bihor County. Health analysis was performed for 820 people, of whom 71 people (8.65%) tested positive for IOP > 21 mmHg, (suspected OHT) compared to 749 (91.35%) with normal values (Normal intraocular pressure-NIOP); the two lots being statistically significantly different (x2 = 560.590, df = 1, p = 0.000). The study involved 754 men (92.0%) and 66 women (8.0%), the sex ratio is 11.42 (Exp (B) = 0.782, Sig = 0.558, 95% CI = 0.343−1783; sex is not a significant predictor at the 5% level). The prevalence of OHT was 8.66% for the whole group, 8.48% for men and 10.60% for women. In the screening action for the whole group of patients the following was determined: IOP reference = 20.85 mmHg, Sensitivity (Se) = 91.5% and 1-Specificity (Sp) = 0.073, (Sp = 92.7%). The predictive value of the screening test was: Positive Predictive Value (PPV) = 90.1% and Negative Predictive Value (NPV) = 91.7%; Area under the ROC Curve (Receiver Operating Characteristic) = 0.986, Sig. = 0.000, CI95% = 0.979−0.993. A binary logistical model of a questionnaire was developed to determine the screening parameters which significantly predicted OHT: IOP (OR = 4.154, 95% CI: 3.155−5.469), Age < 40 years (OR = 0.408, 95% CI: 0.239−0.698) and Pattern Defect (PD) (OR = 1.475% CI: 1.130−1.925). The results of this study assess health status through regular medical examinations, and highlight their importance and usefulness in secondary prevention activity. The particularity of this "check-up" type for personnel with attributions in transport safety is based on two essential aspects: the legal obligation to perform it and the fact it is financed by the beneficiary (the employer). In patients suspected of OHT after antiglaucoma treatment, IOP statistically significantly decreased.

DNA methyltransferase inhibitors modulate histone methylation: epigenetic crosstalk between H3K4me3 and DNA methylation during sperm differentiation.

The process of cytodifferentiation in spermatogenesis is governed by a unique genetic and molecular programme. In this context, accurate 'tuning' of the regulatory mechanisms involved in germ cells differentiation is required, as any error could have dramatic consequences on species survival and maintenance. To study the processes that govern the spatial-temporal expression of genes, as well as analyse transmission of epigenetic information to descendants, an integrated approach of genetics, biochemistry and cytology data is necessary. As information in the literature on interplay between DNA methylation and histone H3 lysine 4 trimethylation (H3K4me3) in the advanced stages of murine spermatogenesis is still scarce, we investigated the effect of a DNA methyltransferase inhibitor, 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine, at the cytological level using immunocytochemistry methodology. Our results revealed a particular distribution of H3K4me3 during sperm cell differentiation and highlighted an important role for regulation of DNA methylation in controlling histone methylation and chromatin remodelling during spermatogenesis.

Diabetic foot - epidemiological and histopathological aspects.

Our study included a total of 259 patients with diabetes, who were admitted to the Department of Plastic Surgery and Reconstructive Microsurgery of the Emergency County Hospital of Pitesti, Romania, in 2016, with the diagnosis of "diabetic foot". Of the 259 patients, 55 (21.23%) were diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, and the remaining 204 (78.77%) were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes; the ratio of type 1∕type 2 diabetes was 1∕3.7. The injuries presented by the patients were osteitis (27.81%), moist gangrene (21.62%), abscesses (18.92%), cellulitis (11.19%), various forms of fasciitis (8.88%), perforating strand (6.18%), and dry gangrene (5.4%). The disease was most commonly diagnosed in males in the rural environment. Most of the patients were in the age group of 61-70 years old. All patients were surgically treated, but 142 (54.82%) patients needed amputations of foot segments (fingers, metatarsal or tarsal bones). The histopathological and immunohistochemical study on excised fragments revealed the existence of a chronic inflammatory process formed mainly from macrophages, mast cells and CD4+ T-lymphocytes.

Prevalence and histopathological types of skin carcinomas in Arges County, Romania.

Non-melanoma skin cancers presented a significant incidence increase in the last decades, worldwidely. Even though the impact upon mortality is a relatively low one, through the incidence increase, their impact upon the public healthcare systems is a considerable one. In our study, we evaluated 109 cases of skin carcinomas hospitalized during 2012 in the Department of Plastic Surgery of the Emergency Hospital of Pitesti, Romania, for a surgical treatment. The gender distribution showed slight lesion predominance in women, being recorded 56 (51.38%) tumors in women and 53 (48.62%) in men. The highest incidence of skin carcinomas (75.23%) was recorded in the persons aged over 60-year-old. Of 109 cases of skin carcinomas, 80 (73.4%) carcinomas developed on indignant tegument areas, while 29 (26.6%) on premalignant skin lesions (fiberconjunctive papillomas, keratocantomas, keratosic verrucas). The histopathological study highlighted the fact that of 109 skin carcinomas, 87 (79.82%) were basal cell carcinomas and only 22 (20.18%) were squamous cell carcinomas. The immunohistochemical reaction to 34ßE12 cytokeratin was highly positive in the cells of the basal cell carcinomas and well-differentiated squamous cell carcinomas (except for the "keratosic pearls") and moderately positive in the moderately differentiated squamous cell carcinoma.

Effects of simvastatin in patients with viral chronic hepatitis C.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: A geranyl-geranylated protein is synthesized during chronic hepatitis C virus replication; statins can inhibit this synthesis. We aimed at studying the effects of administrating simvastatin to patients who finished the standard antiviral therapy and who did not have hepatic cytolysis. METHODOLOGY: A total of 101 patients were divided into 3 groups. Those without liver cytolysis were divided as follows: In group A1 patients were treated with simvastatin for 3 months and in group A2 the patients were non-treated controls. Those patients with hepatic cytolysis were placed in group B and treated for 3 months with simvastatin. The patients were biologically monitored monthly and the initial viremia was compared with the final one. The results were then statistically analysed. RESULTS: Significant changes of viremia were not observed in the patients from groups A1 and A2. In 24 patients in group B (58.54%) the viremia was significantly reduced (p=0.018), and in 6 patients (39.02%) it increased insignificantly. After 1 and 2 months of treatment, the cholesterolemy and the serum alkaline phosphatase significantly decreased to the patients from group B. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, more than half of the patients chronically infected with the hepatitis C virus, who had hepatic cytolysis and were treated with simvastatin, showed a significant reduction in the level of viremia.

Effects of lovastatin and pentoxyphyllin in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Today, there is no ideal treatment for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. The present study intended to make a multicentric prospective study about the efficiency of lovastatin and pentoxyphyllin administered in patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. METHODOLOGY: 87 patients were included in the present study. The patients diagnosed with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and dislypidemia were treated for 4 months with lovastatin 10 mg/day and those without dislypidemia with pentoxyphyllin, 400 mg x 3/day. The patients were evaluated clinically and biochemically monthly. RESULTS: Regarding the lovastatin-treated group, transaminases significantly decreased (p < 0.05), after the first and second month, as well as cholesterolemia (p < 0.001), and the APRI score after 2 months (p = 0.03). In the pentoxyphyllin-treated group, transaminases significantly decreased after 1 month (p < 0.05), and the Forns index after 2 months (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Both drugs significantly decreased the transaminases. Lovastatin reduced the cholesterolemia in the dislipidemic patients. The decrease of the APRI score suggests that both medicines have benefic effects on the hepatic histology, too.

Lovastatin and fluvastatin reduce viremia and the pro-inflammatory cytokines in the patients with chronic hepatitis C.

BACKGROUNDS/AIMS: Certain statins interfere with the mechanism of the hepatitis C virus replication. We aimed at studying the effect of statins on the level of viremia and of the pro-and anti-inflammatory cytokines in the patients with chronic hepatitis C. METHODOLOGY: We took in our study all the patients with chronic hepatitis C placed in the evidence of the clinics of internal medicine of the Emergency County Clinical Hospitals of Brasov, Oradea and Sibiu, who had been identified with viremias. The patients were treated with fluvastatin 40 mg/day or lovastatin 20 mg/day for 28 days. The level of viremia, hemoleukogram, hepatic biochemical tests and the pro and anti-inflammatory hepatic cytokines were analysed before and after the treatment. The final results were compared with the initial ones, as well as between the 2 groups. RESULTS: Regarding those 99 analysed patients, the initial average viremia was of 2376074 +/- 3427596 UI/ml, while the final one was of 1321136 +/- 1343570 UI/ml (p = 0.000987). Both, in the group treated with lovastatin, as well as in that treated with fluvastatin, the decrease of viremia was significant from the statistics point of view (p = 0.032, respectively p = 0.00092). Lovastatin administration resulted in the significant decrease of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-alfa, while that of fluvastatin brought about the significant decrease of the serum levels of IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-alfa. There were no significant differences, statistically speaking, between the 2 determinations, regarding the levels of IL-10 (anti-inflammatory cytokine) and those of erythropoietin. Transaminases average level did not vary significantly after those 4 weeks of statins treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Lovastatin and fluvastatin, significantly decrease the level of viremia, of IL-6 and TNF-alpha in the patients with chronic hepatitis C.