Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on positive airway pressure adherence and patients' perspectives in Greece: the role of telemedicine.

Study Objectives: To analyze the impact of national lockdowns in Greece on positive airway pressure adherence, patients' perspectives regarding COVID-19 pandemic and the role of telemedicine.

Methods: 872 obstructive sleep apnea patients from southern and 673 from northern Greece, under positive airway pressure treatment, were evaluated with adherence data available 12 months prior to and 3 months after the first and second lockdown. Telemedicine, locally available as part of a research protocol, was used for patient's follow-up in southern Greece and standard follow-up procedures were implemented in northern Greece.

Characteristics of Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea at High Risk for Cardiovascular Disease.

To evaluate the influence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)-related symptoms on prevalent cardiovascular disease (CVD) in a large clinical population of patients. A total of 2127 patients (mean age 55 years, 24% women) underwent diagnostic polysomnography and were evaluated using the Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS), the Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS), and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). We investigated the predictive value of OSA-associated symptoms for prevalent cardiovascular disease, after adjustment for relevant confounding factors including age, obesity, and co-morbidities.

Patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis with and without obstructive sleep apnea: differences in clinical characteristics, clinical outcomes, and the effect of PAP treatment.

Study Objectives: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is associated with worse mortality and clinical outcome. We aimed to assess differences between patients with IPF with and without OSA and the effect of positive airway pressure treatment on sleep and overall life quality, morbidity, and mortality in these patients.

Methods: Forty-five patients with newly diagnosed IPF underwent polysomnography.

Cardiovascular Effect and Symptom Profile of Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Does Sex Matter?

Study Objectives: To evaluate the influence of sex on obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)-related symptoms and prevalent cardiovascular disease (CVD) in a large clinical population of patients.

Methods: A total of 6,716 patients (mean age 52 years, 24% women) had undergone diagnostic polysomnography and completed the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), Athens Insomnia Scale, and Beck Depression Inventory. We investigated the predictive value of sex on associated symptoms and prevalent cardiovascular disease, after adjustment for relevant confounding factors including age, obesity, and comorbidities.

The Association Between Adherence to Positive Airway Pressure Therapy and Long-Term Outcomes in Patients With Obesity Hypoventilation Syndrome: A Prospective Observational Study.

Study Objectives: To assess the role of different levels of adherence and long-term effects of positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy on gas exchange, sleepiness, quality of life, depressive symptoms, and all-cause mortality in patients with obesity hypoventilation syndrome (OHS).

Methods: A total of 252 patients with newly diagnosed OHS were followed up for a minimum of 2 years after PAP initiation. PAP adherence (h/night) was monitored.

Evaluation of Inflammatory Markers in a Large Sample of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Patients without Comorbidities.

Systemic inflammation is important in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) pathophysiology and its comorbidity. We aimed to assess the levels of inflammatory biomarkers in a large sample of OSA patients and to investigate any correlation between these biomarkers with clinical and polysomnographic (PSG) parameters. This was a cross-sectional study in which 2983 patients who had undergone a polysomnography for OSA diagnosis were recruited.

Tiotropium Respimat Soft Mist Inhaler versus HandiHaler to improve sleeping oxygen saturation and sleep quality in COPD.

Purpose: Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have poor sleep quality as a result of various alterations in oxygenation parameters and sleep macro- and micro-architecture. There is a shortage of data to support the efficacy of long-acting inhaled anticholinergic agents in improving these adverse effects, which are known to have a negative impact on clinical outcomes. We aimed to compare the tiotropium Respimat Soft Mist Inhaler and the HandiHaler in terms of their effects on sleeping oxygen saturation (SaO2) and sleep quality in patients with COPD.

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome and cardiovascular disease: The influence of C-reactive protein.

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is a common medical condition, associated with atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease (CVD). The underlying pathophysiologic mechanisms of this association have not been completely understood and may be multifactorial in origin. A number of studies suggest that inflammatory processes have emerged critical in the pathogenesis of CVD in OSAS.

Intensive versus standard follow-up to improve continuous positive airway pressure compliance.

We aimed to compare the effect of intensive versus standard interventions on continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) adherence 2 years after CPAP initiation, as well as on sleepiness, quality of life, depression, hospitalisation and death rate due to cardiovascular disease (CVD). 3100 patients with newly diagnosed sleep apnoea were randomised into the standard group, with usual follow-up care, or the intensive group, with additional visits, telephone calls and education. Subjective daytime sleepiness (Epworth Sleepiness Scale; ESS), quality of life (36-item Short Form Health Survey; SF-36) and the patient's level of depression (Beck Depression Inventory; BDI) were recorded before and 2 years after CPAP initiation, together with CVD hospitalisations and death rate.

Translation and validation of Berlin questionnaire in primary health care in Greece.

Background: The aim of our study was to validate a Greek translation of the Berlin Questionnaire (BQ) for obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) and to explore whether this screening questionnaire could be used to help identify primary care patients at greater risk of having OSAS.

Methods: We recruited 189 patients visiting a primary health care setting on the island of Crete, Greece. They all completed the Greek Version of the BQ.