Monitoring Seasonal Compliance of Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea Using CPAP Systems via SD Card.

Background: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common disorder characterized by recurrent upper airway collapse during sleep, leading to neurological and cardiovascular adverse effects.

Objective: The present study aimed to explore seasonal compliance with Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy among OSA patients in Greece.

Methods: Data from 954 OSA patients using CPAP devices were collected during summer and winter months.

A Multivariate Study on the Adherence With Non-invasive Ventilation in People With Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

Background: Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a sleep disorder that affects a significant number of people worldwide. While Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) devices have been proven to be effective in relieving symptoms, ensuring consistent use of those devices throughout the year can be challenging for a lot of patients.

Objective: The present quantitative observational study in non-invasive ventilation for OSA patients explores adherence and attempts to identify independent predicting factors and year-round adherence differences in a large sample of OSA patients from Greece.

Informal carers' experiences and feelings during rehabilitation.

The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences and feelings of people caring for patients with long-term diseases in a rehabilitation centre. A qualitative research approach was used. Fifteen informal carers were interviewed.

Informal Caregivers in Greek Hospitals: a Unique Phenomenon of a Health System in Financial Crisis.

Background: In Greece it is quite common for family members to provide informal unpaid care for another family member during hospitalization, alongside healthcare professionals. Understaffing and lack of nursing personnel, due to austerity measures implemented in Greece during the last eight years, force families to provide informal care during hospitalization. The aim of the research was to study the role of informal caregivers (IC) during a family's member hospitalization, factors affecting their presence and patient's needs that were met by them.

Factors Affecting Mental Patients’ Behaviors and Attitudes Regarding Smoking.

Background: Patients with mental health problems are in high risk to develop addiction, since smoking incidence is three times higher than that of the general population. The aim of the study was to investigate the factors affecting mental health patients’ smoking habits. Methods: The sample of study were 356 patients out of 403 initially approached, with 142 hospitalized in hospital facilities and 214 in community settings.

Pain in chronic kidney disease: prevalence, cause and management.

Pain is an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience and is the most common symptom experienced by renal patients. It can be caused by primary co-morbid diseases, renal replacement therapies, medication or treatment side effects, and its intensity varies from moderate to severe. Pain management in renal patients is difficult, since the distance between pain relief and toxicity is very small.

CE: continuing education article. Integration of palliative care for patients with stage 5 chronic kidney disease.

Patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (Stage 5 CKD) have palliative care needs similar to patients with cancer. The decision not to commence dialysis or to withdraw from active treatment can have a profound impact upon all those closely involved in the patient's care. It is essential that every effort is made to minimise the physical and psycho-social symptoms experienced by patients who require palliative care.

CE: Continuing Education Article: MANAGEMENT OF ANAEMIA IN CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE.

SUMMARY Anaemia is an almost universal issue that develops in the later stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD) primarily due to a lack of erythropoietin (EPO) and the depressed EPO response in bone marrow. This can have a profound effect on the patient's lifestyle and quality of life. Knowledge of both the psychosocial and clinical areas of CKD is imperative for healthcare professionals so that they can be at the forefront of improvements of CKD patient care.

Management of co-morbid diseases in a patient with established renal failure.

This follows on from an article relating to chronic kidney disease (CKD) and co-morbidities. Not only do these co-morbid diseases cause problems to patients with CKD, they continue to impact upon them when they develop established renal failure (ERF). Various co-morbid conditions can affect the patient including diabetes, hypertension, anaemia and cardiovascular issues.