[The study of the Polish version of the Questionnaire for the Assessment of Disgust Sensitivity (QADS)].

Aim: Disgust is one of the principal emotions, typically triggered by a variety of biological and social stimuli. Several questionnaire tools have been used to assess disgust. The aim of the study was to assess psychometric properties of the Polish version of the Questionnaire for the Assessment of Disgust Sensitivity (QADS), adapted from the tool prepared by the German researchers.

Clinical heterogeneity of patients with complex sleep apnea syndrome.

Background: The definition of complex sleep apnea (CompSAS) encompasses patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) who develop central apnea activity upon restitution of airway patency. Presence of arterial hypertension (HTN), coronary artery disease (CAD) and heart failure (HF) have been proposed as risk factors for CompSAS among OSA patients. Using our database of patients with CompSAS, we examined the prevalence of these risk factors and defined other clinical characteristics of patients with CompSAS.

Trials of bilevel positive airway pressure - spontaneous in patients with complex sleep apnoea.

Introduction: Patients with complex sleep apnoea (CompSAS) have obstructive sleep apnoea and experience persistent central apnoeas when exposed to positive airway pressure. Elevated loop gain is one of the postulated mechanisms of CompSAS. We speculated that bilevel positive airway pressure - spontaneous (BPAP-S), by producing relative hyperventilation, may more readily produce CompSAS activity than continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP).

[Complex sleep apnea syndrome].

Some patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) develop persistent central sleep apnea activity when started on continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). This recently recognized syndrome, complex sleep apnea syndrome (CompSAS), is thought to be due to dysfunction of the respiratory center in a setting of an obstructive sleep apnea. We present the current knowledge on epidemiology, pathophysiology, and treatment options in CompSAS.

[Quality of life outcomes of pulmonary rehabilitation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)].

Pulmonary rehabilitation is an important modality in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In this review we introduce the terms of outcomes of the disease and of quality of life. We then review the effects of pulmonary rehabilitation on outcomes of COPD.

Predictors of acute lung injury and severe hypoxemia in patients undergoing operative talc pleurodesis.

Background: Acute lung injury (ALI) is a life-threatening complication of talc pleurodesis. This study defines characteristics that predispose patients to ALI and severe hypoxemia in patients after video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) talc pleurodesis.

Methods: Charts of patients who underwent talc pleurodesis at Northwestern Memorial Hospital between January 1, 1997 and December 31, 2003 were retrospectively reviewed.

[Treatment of nicotine dependence based on bupropion SR and educational support--one year observation and analysis of the reasons of relapses].

Tobacco dependence is a chronic, relapsing disease causing an enormous burden of deaths. The aim of the study was a one year evaluation of the efficacy of bupropion SR supported by an educational program in the treatment of nicotine dependence and analysis of the reasons of relapses. 54 smokers were enrolled.

[Quality of life in patients with obstructive sleep apnea].

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSA) is a condition affecting up to 5% of the population, in which episodes of upper airway obstruction lead to temporary cessation of airflow, disturbed sleep architecture and daily somnolence. The health consequences of OSA also include psychological and cognitive deficits, an increased risk of systemic and pulmonary hypertension, coronary disease, bradyarrhythmias and motor vehicle accidents. Symptoms and complications of OSA lead to a significant decrease of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of affected patients.

[Comparative evaluation of two health-related quality of life questionnaires in patients with sleep apnea].

Symptoms and complications of the obstructive sleep apnea (SAS) lead to a significant impairment of the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of the affected individuals. Most HRQOL questionnaires have been published in English. Formal process of evaluation has to precede the introduction of a new language version of a HRQOL questionnaire.

[Smoking cessation program based on pharmacological support (bupropion SR). Our own experience].

Smoking constitutes the gravest, yet avoidable, deadly threat to health in Poland. Near the end of the 90-ies it was discovered that the antidepressant -bupropion- has positive effects in the treatment of addiction to nicotine. The aim of the study was the evaluation of the efficacy of ambulatory, intensive smoking cessation program based on bupropion SR with educational support.