Psychometrics of the Greek Chronic Liver Disease Questionnaire for Measuring HRQL.

The aim of the present study is to examine psychometric properties such as internal consistency reliability and construct validity of the Greek CLDQ. A sample of 366 eligible patients with chronic liver disease (CLD) self-administered the Greek version of the SF-36 Health Survey, the Chronic Liver Disease Questionnaire (CLDQ), and questions on sociodemographic status and treatment. Child Pugh Score was also collected.

Urine levels of catecholamines in Greek children with obstructive sleep-disordered breathing.

Introduction: Adults with obstructive sleep apnea have increased sympathetic activity. It was hypothesized that in children with symptoms of obstructive sleep-disordered breathing (SDB), morning urine levels of catecholamines correlate with severity of nocturnal hypoxemia.

Methods: Children with snoring referred for polysomnography and controls without snoring were recruited.

Adiposity in relation to age as predictor of severity of sleep apnea in children with snoring.

Correlation between obesity and obstructive sleep apnea has been documented in both adults and children. This investigation evaluated importance of body mass index (BMI) in relation to age as predictor of severity of obstructive sleep-disordered breathing (SDB). Children with habitual snoring referred for polysomnography were recruited.

Nocturnal change of circulating intercellular adhesion molecule 1 levels in children with snoring.

Hypoxia promotes adherence of leukocytes to endothelial cells by inducing expression of adhesion molecules like intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1). Increased serum levels of circulating ICAM-1 (cICAM-1) have been reported in adults with sleep apnea and associated hypoxemia. This investigation assessed the hypothesis that the overnight change of cICAM-1 levels in children with snoring is correlated with the severity of obstructive sleep-disordered breathing.

Overnight change in brain natriuretic peptide levels in children with sleep-disordered breathing.

Study Objectives: Obstructive sleep-disordered breathing is accompanied by episodic increases in left ventricle afterload due to large negative swings in intrathoracic pressure and repetitive surges in arterial pressure. Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) is released by ventricular myocytes in response to pressure and volume overload. It was hypothesized that in children with snoring, overnight change in BNP levels is correlated with severity of disturbance in respiration.