Factors Affecting CPAP Adherence in an OSA Population during the First Two Years of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common disorder associated with major cardiovascular and neurocognitive sequelae. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the standard treatment for OSA. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and associations of long-term CPAP adherence in newly diagnosed OSA patients.

Dexmedetomidine-ketamine combination versus fentanyl-midazolam for patient sedation during flexible bronchoscopy: a prospective, single-blind, randomized controlled trial.

Background: Sedation during flexible bronchoscopy (FB) should maintain an adequate respiratory drive, ensure maximum comfort for the patient, and warrant that the objectives of the procedure are achieved. Nevertheless, the optimal sedation method for FB has yet to be established. This study aimed to compare the standard recommended combination of midazolam-fentanyl (MF) with that of dexmedetomidine-ketamine (DK) for patient sedation during FB.

Clinical identification of malignant pleural effusions.

Introduction: Pleural effusions frequently signal disseminated cancer. Diagnostic markers of pleural malignancy at presentation that would assess cancer risk and would streamline diagnostic decisions remain unidentified.

Methods: A consecutive cohort of 323 patients with pleural effusion (PE) from different etiologies were recruited between 2013 and 2017 and was retrospectively analyzed.

The impact of osteoporosis and vertebral compression fractures on mortality and association with pulmonary function in COPD: A meta-analysis.

Objective: Osteoporosis is highly prevalent among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and most commonly presents as a vertebral compression fracture (VCF). Our objective was to quantify the effect of osteoporosis and VCFs on the mortality and pulmonary function tests (PFTs), such as forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV) and forced vital capacity (FVC), of patients with COPD.

Methods: A PubMed/Medline search was conducted using the search terms "chronic obstructive pulmonary disease", "osteoporosis" and "vertebral compression fracture".

Measles-associated pneumonia and hepatitis during the measles outbreak of 2018.

Background Between 2017 and 2018, Greece experienced a measles outbreak, affecting >3000 patients, most of which were unvaccinated. Measles-associated pneumonia (MAP) is the most common serious compilation of the disease, but very few recent reports regarding its presentation are available. Materials and Methods Between January and May 2018, 11 adult patients presented to our department with acute measles virus infection, hypoxia and findings on chest X-ray.

Osteonectin as a screening marker for pancreatic cancer: A prospective study.

Objective Osteonectin plays a central role in various processes during the development of pancreatic adenocarcinoma. This prospective pilot study was performed to determine the feasibility of serum osteonectin as a screening tool for pancreatic cancer. Methods Blood samples were collected from 15 consecutive patients with newly diagnosed pancreatic cancer and 30 matched healthy controls.

Potential Prediction of Acute Biliary Pancreatitis Outcome on Admission.

Objectives: This pilot study aimed to determine the feasibility of serum values of osteonectin, adiponectin, transforming growth factor beta 1, and neurotensin being used in clinical practice to predict the severity of acute pancreatitis.

Methods: Blood samples were collected from 45 consecutive newly diagnosed acute pancreatitis patients and 30 matched healthy controls. The 2 groups were matched according to age, sex, weight, height, diabetes, smoking, and alcohol consumption.

The late effect of intraoperative wound infiltration with local anaesthetic in surgical patients; is there any? A randomized control trial.

Introduction: Intraoperative wound infiltration with local anaesthetic is commonly used. Apart from the obvious immediate action it has been supported that a possible down regulation of pain receptors may lead to longer effects. Our aim was to compare the use of local anaesthetic versus placebo in order to assess if indeed there is a late beneficial effect.

Laparoscopic versus Open Adrenalectomy for Stage I/II Adrenocortical Carcinoma: Meta-Analysis of Outcomes.

Aim: The aim of the present meta-analysis was to investigate the safety and oncologic efficacy of laparoscopic adrenalectomy for stage I and II adrenocortical carcinoma. The issue of level I evidence is entirely unreturned.

Methods: Electronic databases were used to search for articles from 1992 to 2014 in the English language literature.

Laparoscopic versus open appendicectomy in Greek reality.

Laparoscopic appendicectomy (LA) may be the treatment of choice for acute appendicitis. Our aim was to assess LA in Greek reality. Within a year, 135 patients with a mean age of 29.

Basal metabolic rate is decreased in women with polycystic ovary syndrome and biochemical hyperandrogenemia and is associated with insulin resistance.

Objective: To evaluate basal metabolic rate (BMR) in women with PCOS and to determine its association with insulin resistance (IR).

Design: Prospective assessment of BMR in women with PCOS.

Setting: Outpatient clinic of the Division of Reproductive Endocrinology.

Sildenafil versus continuous positive airway pressure for erectile dysfunction in men with obstructive sleep apnea: a comparative study of their efficacy and safety and the patient's satisfaction with treatment.

Aim: To assess the efficacy of sildenafil and continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) in the treatment of concurrent erectile dysfunction (ED) with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and to gauge the level of treatment satisfaction in patients and their partners.

Methods: Forty men were treated for 12 weeks with sildenafil 100 mg (20 men) or CPAP during nighttime sleep (20 men). Treatment efficacy was assessed by the rate of successful intercourse attempts, and satisfaction with treatment was assessed by patients' and partners' answers to question 1 of the Erectile Dysfunction Inventory of Treatment Satisfaction.

Sildenafil combined with continuous positive airway pressure for treatment of erectile dysfunction in men with obstructive sleep apnea.

Objectives: To assess efficacy and safety of the combination of sildenafil and continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), and satisfaction with treatment for erectile dysfunction (ED) in men with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

Patients And Methods: Forty men suffering from OSA and concurrent ED were treated with CPAP after a thorough investigation. After a 4-week run-in period, the patients were randomly allocated to treatment for 6 weeks; 20 men to the combination group, receiving additionally 100 mg sildenafil on demand for intercourse, and 20 men to CPAP alone.

The impact of long-term conventional treatment for overlap syndrome (obstructive sleep apnea and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) on concurrent erectile dysfunction.

Purpose: To assess the improvement of concurrent erectile dysfunction (ED) in men with overlap syndrome (obstructive sleep apnea and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), treated with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and bronchodilators.

Material And Methods: We evaluated 48 men of a mean age of 52.8+/-10 years suffering from both obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and concurrent ED.