Serum uric acid and arterial lactate levels in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome: the effect of CPAP treatment.

: Serum uric acid (UA) and arterial lactate acid (LA) are markers of oxidative stress and tissue hypoxia that are present in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). The aim of the study was to evaluate the associations between UA and LA levels and OSAS characteristics as well as the effect of their levels after continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment.: This is a retrospective of newly diagnosed patients with OSAS.

The effect of a holistic self-management plan on asthma control.

The holistic self-management plan includes lifelong actions that enable patients to cope with their disease. The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of a holistic self-management plan on asthma control. A 12-month controlled study was conducted.

Prediction of hospitalization stay in COPD exacerbations: the AECOPD-F score.

Background: Hospital admissions for COPD exacerbations account for 70% of total costs of COPD treatment, and the duration of hospital stay is directly related to this cost. The aim of this study was to investigate possible associations of demographic, clinical, laboratory, and functional parameters with stay of subjects admitted for COPD exacerbations and to provide a score for the prediction of the need for prolonged hospitalization.

Methods: We included 164 consecutive subjects admitted to 2 respiratory medicine departments of 2 tertiary hospitals for a COPD exacerbation, and we evaluated laboratory, clinical, and functional parameters possibly related to the duration of hospital stay.

Hyperventilation in asthma: a validation study of the Nijmegen Questionnaire--NQ.

Introduction: The Nijmegen questionnaire (NQ) has previously been used for screening the hyperventilation syndrome (HVS) in asthmatics. However, no validity study has been reported so far.

Objective: To examine the validity and reliability of the NQ in asthma patients and identify the prevalence of HVS.

Collateral damage: depressive symptoms in the partners of COPD patients.

Background: Depression is a frequent comorbidity in COPD patients and is associated with greater physical impairment, increased health-care utilization, and worse outcomes. The presence of depressive symptoms in the partners of COPD patients has not been evaluated.

Methods: We evaluated the partners of 230 consecutive COPD patients included in a prospective study.

Serum uric acid as a predictor of mortality and future exacerbations of COPD.

Serum uric acid is increased in respiratory disease, especially in the presence of hypoxia and systemic inflammation. We evaluated serum uric acid as a biomarker for prediction of mortality and future acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD). Serum uric acid was measured in 314 eligible consecutive patients on admission for AECOPD.

The impact of depressive symptoms on recovery and outcome of hospitalised COPD exacerbations.

The impact of depressive symptoms on outcomes of acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) has not been thoroughly evaluated in prospective studies. We prospectively enrolled 230 consecutive patients hospitalised for AECOPD, without previous diagnosis of depression. Depressive symptoms were evaluated with Beck's depression inventory.

Statins and outcome after hospitalization for COPD exacerbation: a prospective study.

Background: Retrospective studies have shown that the use of statins is associated with reduced mortality and decreased hospitalizations from COPD, but data from prospective studies are lacking.

Methods: We followed-up prospectively 245 patients admitted to hospital for exacerbations of COPD (ECOPD) with monthly evaluations for one year. The role of statins on outcomes was evaluated by Cox regression analysis after proper adjustments for age, gender, BMI, current smoking status, Charlson comorbidity index and COPD stage.

Factors associated with BMI in Greek adults with asthma.

Background: The association between asthma and obesity remains controversial and limited to a few studies.

Objective: The present study was designed to examine the association between body mass index (BMI) and clinical measures of asthma morbidity in Greek asthma patients.

Study Design: A cross-sectional study in 100 outpatients at the asthma department of the "Amalia Fleming" General Hospital in Athens, Greece, was conducted.