Publications by authors named "Demetrios Mermigkis"

The X-chromosome linked (XL) female carriers of chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) are considered to have no risk for infection. Herein we present a female CGD XL-carrier who developed pneumonia and infection associated with age-related skewing of X-chromosome inactivation.

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We report a case of severe obstructive sleep apnea in a 72-year-old, thin male caused by upper airway obstruction due to an enlarged cervical osteophyte at the C2-C3 level in association with a hooking of the soft palate. This is the first reported case with magnetic resonance imaging recognizing 2 simultaneously existing unusual obstructive causes: the oropharynx (hooking palate) and the hypopharynx (large cervical osteophyte).

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Background: The recent literature shows an increased incidence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). On the other hand, there are no published studies related to continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment in this patient group. Our aim was to assess the effect of CPAP on sleep and overall life quality parameters in IPF patients with OSA and to recognize and overcome possible difficulties in CPAP initiation and acceptance by these patients.

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Introduction. Increased apoptosis of epithelial cells and decreased apoptosis of myofibroblasts are involved in the pathogenesis of IPF. The apoptotic profile of alveolar macrophages (AMs) in IPF is unclear.

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Background-aim: C-reactive protein (CRP) is directly implicated in atherogenesis and associated cardiovascular morbidity in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Effective continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment has been shown to gradually decrease CRP levels and thus consequently improve disease-related cardiovascular morbidity. However, the influence of gender on the CRP evolution pattern has never been assessed before.

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Background And Aim: The frequency of obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) remains controversial. The aim of this study was to assess the frequency of OSAHS in newly diagnosed IPF patients and to identify possible correlations with body mass index and pulmonary function testing parameters.

Materials And Methods: Thirty-four newly diagnosed IPF patients were included.

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Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic and usually fatal lung disease of unknown etiology. The aim of this study was to describe clinical and polysomnographic features of sleep-related breathing disorders (SRBD) and to identify predictors of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in IPF patients. Eight hundred fifty-seven patients with IPF were admitted to the Cleveland Clinic from 2001 to 2005.

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