Does Smoking Affect OSA? What about Smoking Cessation?

The connection between smoking and Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is not yet clear. There are studies that have confirmed the effect of smoking on sleep disordered breathing, whereas others did not. Nicotine affects sleep, as smokers have prolonged total sleep and REM latency, reduced sleep efficiency, total sleep time, and slow wave sleep.

Sleep Disorders and Mental Stress of Healthcare Workers during the Two First Waves of COVID-19 Pandemic: Separate Analysis for Primary Care.

Background: During the recent pandemic, Healthcare Professionals (HCPs) presented a significant prevalence of psychological health problems and sleep disturbances. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of COVID-19 on HCPs’ sleep and mental stress with a separate analysis for primary care HCPs. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study with an online anonymized, self-reported questionnaire was conducted in May 2020 (1st wave) and repeated in December 2020 (2nd wave).

Acceptability of Healthcare Professionals to Get Vaccinated against COVID-19 Two Weeks before Initiation of National Vaccination.

The greatest challenge vaccines face is that of acceptance from the general population. Healthcare professionals' (HCPs) recommendations have significant influence on general public vaccination behavior. The aim of this study was to assess the willingness of HCPs to get vaccinated against COVID-19, two weeks before initiation of vaccinations.

Sleep questionnaires for the screening of obstructive sleep apnea in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus compared with non-diabetic patients.

Background: Several tools have been used to screen for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Evaluation of the predictive performance of different questionnaires is essential in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) because the prevalence of OSA in this population is high. The aim of this study was to evaluate different sleep questionnaires to identify T2DM patients with OSA, and to compare the predictive values of these questionnaires with a matched sample of non-diabetic patients.

Central Venous Oxygen Saturation as a Predictor of a Successful Spontaneous Breathing Trial from Mechanical Ventilation: A Prospective, Nested Case-Control Study.

Background: Weaning from mechanical ventilation is a key element in the care of critically ill patients, and Spontaneous Breathing Trial (SBT) is a crucial step in this procedure. This nested case-control study aimed to evaluate whether central oxygen saturation (ScvO) values and their changes could independently predict the SBT outcome among mechanically ventilated patients.

Methods: A prospective cohort of patients who were mechanically ventilated for at least 48hours and fulfilled the criteria of readiness to wean constituted the study population.

Sleep apnea syndrome, inflammation and oxidative stress in hemodialysis patients.

Introduction: Sleep apnea syndrome (SAS) is an established cardiovascular risk factor in the general population related to inflammation and oxidative stress and is very common among hemodialysis patients. Cardiovascular disease and its complications is the main cause of death among hemodialysis patients. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of SAS in the promotion of inflammation and oxidative stress and thus in the augmentation of cardiovascular risk in hemodialysis patients.

Phenotyping Exercise Limitation in Systemic Sclerosis: The Use of Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing.

Background: Exercise impairment is a common symptom of systemic sclerosis (SSc), a disorder which is frequently complicated by cardiopulmonary involvement.

Objectives: This study's aims were: (a) to define the prevalence and the potential causes of limited exercise capacity and (b) to study potential differences in clinical, radiological and functional characteristics and blood serology among SSc patients with exercise limitation of different etiology.

Methods: Prospectively collected data on SSc patients who had conducted full lung function testing, blood serology, thorax high-resolution computed tomography, Doppler echocardiogram and a maximal cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) were retrospectively analyzed.

Resting energy expenditure in OSAS: the impact of a single CPAP application.

Purpose: Data on the impact of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and its treatment on resting energy expenditure (REE) are currently few and conflicting. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the impact of OSAS on REE, as measured before and after sleep, and the changes in REE after a single continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) application, for the first time in literature.

Methods: This is a nested case-control study.

A multifactoral analysis of 1452 patients for smoking sensation. An outpatient lab experience.

Smoking habit is held responsible for several respiratory and metabolic diseases. Data from 1452 patients were recorded from our outpatient laboratory. The following parameters were recorded within several follow ups of our patients; smoking habit, respiratory functions, smoking cessation questionnaires, and administered drugs.

Ashtrays and signage as determinants of a smoke-free legislation's success.

Introduction: Successful smoke-free legislation is dependent on political will, enforcement and societal support. We report the success and pitfalls of a non-enforced nationwide smoke-free legislation in Greece, as well as ways in which compliance and enforcement-related factors, including ashtrays and signage, may impact indoor secondhand smoke (SHS) concentrations.

Methods: A follow-up study of venues (n=150, at baseline, n=75 at 2-year follow-up) in Greece assessed indoor particulate matter with a diameter less than 2.

The financial crisis has an impact in sleep medicine: experience of a sleep clinic in Greece.

Objective: Greece has entered a long period of economic crisis with adverse effects in daily life. The aim of our study was to evaluate the impact of the economic crisis on the population visiting a sleep clinic between years 2008 and 2011.

Methods: Comparison of the number of patients, anthropometric data, symptoms, and treatment between 2008 (beginning of crisis) to 2011(great impact of crisis) was conducted.

Restrictive pulmonary dysfunction and its predictors in young patients with β-thalassaemia major.

Background: Pulmonary dysfunction represents one of the most undervalued and less recognized complications in patients with β-thalassaemia.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the pattern of pulmonary dysfunction and consequently to investigate possible associated factors that might contribute to lung impairment in young patients with β-thalassaemia major.

Methods: Fifty-two children and young adults (mean age: 21.

Respiratory function in patients with pemphigus vulgaris - a small clinical study.

Background: Pemphigus vulgaris belongs to a group of rare, autoimmune, blistering disorders, requiring intensive immunosuppressive therapy. Lung infections are common in patients with pemphigus vulgaris.

Objective: To evaluate pulmonary function in patients with pemphigus vulgaris, in order to detect possible factors that might predispose PV patients to lung damage.

Spirometry values in a Greek population: is there an appropriate reference equation?

Background And Objective: Most published reference values for lung function test (LFT) parameters introduce systematic bias. The aim of this study was to compare measured values of FEV(1) and FVC with the corresponding normal predicted values in a Greek population, and to produce reference equations for LFT parameters in this population.

Methods: In a cross-sectional study conducted in Macedonia, Greece, 1080 adult healthy, non-smokers (432 men, 648 women, aged 18-80 years), underwent spirometry.

Anemia of chronic disease in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a case-control study of cardiopulmonary exercise responses.

Background: Anemia may be present in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and further impair their functional capacity.

Objectives: This study investigated the prevalence of anemia of chronic disease (ACD) in COPD patients and its impact on dyspnea and exercise capacity, utilizing cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET).

Methods: ACD prevalence was assessed in 283 consecutive patients with stable COPD (263 males, 60 females; age 60.

Exercise capacity in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: the effect of pulmonary hypertension.

Background And Objective: Increased pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) usually coexists with impaired lung function in IPF. Data on the effect of pulmonary hypertension (PH) on cardiopulmonary responses during exercise in IPF patients is very limited. We sought to investigate the impact of PH on exercise capacity and the correlation between systolic PAP (sPAP) and pulmonary function testing, as well as cardiopulmonary exercise parameters, in patients with IPF and PH.