Prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis in Greece: results from the national health examination survey EMENO.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is considered the most common form of autoimmune arthritis. The disease's prevalence is around 0.5-1% worldwide, but it seems to vary among different populations.

Hepatitis B, C and human immunodeficiency virus knowledge among the general greek population: results from the Hprolipsis nationwide survey.

Background: Although several studies on hepatitis B (HBV), C (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection have been conducted in Greece, little is known on the knowledge level of the Greek population towards these three infections. Our aim was to assess the knowledge level of the adult Greek general population about the HBV, HCV and HIV.

Methods: Data were derived from the first general population health survey, Hprolipsis.

Twenty-first century epidemiology of dyslipidemia in Greece: EMENO national epidemiological study.

Background: Greece was recently reclassified from low- to medium-risk country in terms of cardiovascular disease, with 27% of cardiovascular deaths attributed to hypercholesterolemia. EMENO nationwide survey (2013-2016) assessed the epidemiology of dyslipidemia in the general population in Greece.

Methods: A random sample of adults was drawn by multistage stratified random sampling based on 2011 census.

Epidemiology of rheumatoid arthritis: genetic and environmental influences.

Introduction: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic systemic disease characterized by articular involvement and extra-articular manifestations. The incidence and prevalence of the disease vary across populations, and there is an ongoing debate on whether a change of RA occurrence over time exists or is due to methodological issues and other biases. Moreover, the disease's onset is related to an interaction of genetic and environmental factors that influence its expression.

Thyroid dysfunction in Greece: Results from the national health examination survey EMENO.

Background: Nationwide data on thyroid disease prevalence in Greece is lacking. Using the national health examination survey EMENO data resources, we aimed to estimate the prevalence of hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism and associated risk factors in adults living in Greece.

Methods: A random sample of the adults (≥18 years) living in Greece was drawn by multi-stage stratified random sampling based on the 2011 census.

Prevalence of tobacco smoking and association with other unhealthy lifestyle risk factors in the general population of Greece: Results from the EMENO study.

Introduction: The EMENO (National Morbidity and Risk Factors) survey is one of the first and most representative population-based surveys in Greece due to its study design and sampling procedure. We aimed to estimate the prevalence of smoking, secondhand smoking (SHS) and their potential associations with other socioeconomic and unhealthy lifestyle risk factors.

Methods: EMENO is a cross-sectional health status survey conducted in Greece from May 2013 to June 2016.

Prevalence of diabetes and pre-diabetes in Greece. Results of the First National Survey of Morbidity and Risk Factors (EMENO) study.

Aims: To report the results of the first national Health Examination Survey (HES) on the prevalence of diabetes, its pharmacologic treatment and level of control, as well as pre-diabetes in Greece.

Methods: Data were derived from the National Survey of Morbidity and Risk Factors (EMENO), in a randomly selected, representative sample of the adult Greek population. Sampling weights were applied to adjust for study design and post-stratification weights to match sample age/sex distribution to the population.

Prevalence, awareness, treatment and control of hypertension in Greece: EMENO national epidemiological study.

Objective: The evidence on the epidemiology of hypertension in Greece is limited. The prevalence and control of hypertension was assessed in randomly selected adults of the general population in Greece within the nationwide epidemiological study EMENO.

Method: On the basis of 2011 census, EMENO applied a multistage stratified random sampling method involving 577 areas throughout Greece (2013-2016).

High prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in adults living in Greece: the EMENO National Health Examination Survey.

Background: Nationwide data on cardiovascular risk factors prevalence is lacking in Greece. This work presents the findings of the national health examination survey EMENO (2013-2016) regarding the prevalence of hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, diabetes, obesity and smoking.

Methods: A random sample of adults (≥18 years) was drawn by multistage stratified random sampling based on 2011 Census.

Vitrectomy for the removal of idiopathic epiretinal membrane with or without internal limiting membrane peeling: a meta-analysis.

Purpose: The aim of this study is to analyze the effect of internal limiting membrane peeling in removal of idiopathic epiretinal membranes through meta-analysis.

Methods: We searched PubMed for studies published until 30 April 2018. Inclusion criteria included cases of idiopathic epiretinal membranes, treated with vitrectomy with or without internal limiting membrane peeling.

Incidence of spondyloarthritis subtypes: a systematic review.

Objectives: Several epidemiologic studies of spondylarthritis (SpA) and its subtypes have been reported during the last decades. The majority of these studies provided prevalence estimates and showed a considerable variation in the reported frequency of SpA subtypes. Most systematic reviews published in this field aimed to summarise the results of prevalence studies, however, incidence studies are important for an accurate picture of a disease occurrence in a defined population.

Cardiovascular risk factors in HIV infected individuals: Comparison with general adult control population in Greece.

Background: Although combined antiretroviral therapy has substantially improved the prognosis of people living with HIV (PLHIV), mortality remains higher compared to the general population, mainly due to higher prevalence of non-HIV-related comorbidities, including cardiovascular diseases (CVD). We assessed the prevalence of CVD risk and its contributing factors in adult PLHIV versus general population controls in Greece.

Settings: Cross-sectional comparison of PLHIV (Athens-Multicenter-AIDS-Cohort-Study; AMACS) versus general population controls (National health examination survey; EMENO).

National Survey of Morbidity and Risk Factors (EMENO): Protocol for a Health Examination Survey Representative of the Adult Greek Population.

Background: Main causes of death in Greece are cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), malignant neoplasms, respiratory diseases, and road traffic crashes. To assess the population health status, monitor health systems, and adjust policies, national population-based health surveys are recommended. The previous health surveys that were conducted in Greece were restricted to specific regions or high-risk groups.

Occupational, dietary, and other risk factors for myelodysplastic syndromes in Western Greece.

Purpose: We have observed an increasing incidence of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) in the geographic area of Western Greece during the past two decades. The objective of this study was to investigate potential risk factors for the manifestation of MDS in this area of Greece.

Methods: A hospital-based case-control study was conducted in the public hospitals of the region.

Cardiovascular risk profile in patients with spondyloarthritis.

Objectives: The spondyloarthritides (SpA) are associated with an increased cardiovascular risk. We studied cardiovascular risk factors in patients with SpA.

Methods: The following risk factors were assessed in SpA patients and healthy controls: smoking, family history of premature ischemic heart disease, obesity, serum lipids, apolipoproteins, urate and carotid intima media thickness (IMT).

The incidence of myelodysplastic syndromes in Western Greece is increasing.

Descriptive epidemiology of the myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) is always interesting and may reveal time-dependent and geographical variations, as well as occupational exposure. Epidemiological data in Greece are not available by now. We have collected and analyzed medical records of all patients with a documented diagnosis of MDS, performed by an expert hematologist and/or hematopathologist, in the geographical area of Western Greece, during the 20-year period, defined between 1990 and 2009.

Prognostic factors of radiological damage in rheumatoid arthritis: a 10-year retrospective study.

Objective: to describe the longterm clinical and radiological outcomes in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in a cohort in northwestern Greece; and to investigate predictive factors of radiological damage at the 10-year followup in patients with RA.

Methods: we studied the disease course and outcome of 144 patients with RA and radiographs of the hands and wrists available at baseline and at 10 years. Baseline measurements and time-averaged measures of swollen joint count (SJC) and inflammatory markers [erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP)] were tested in univariate analysis, and then those presenting a statistically significant association with either Larsen score at 10 years or annual progression rate were included in 2 logistic regression models in order to determine relevant independent prognostic factors.

Sustained clinical response in psoriatic arthritis patients treated with anti-TNF agents: a 5-year open-label observational cohort study.

Objective: To investigate the efficacy, toxicity, and drug discontinuation in patients with psoriatic arthritis treated with anti-tumor necrosis factor agents.

Methods: Sixty-five patients with active disease were included in this open-label study. They had tender or swollen joint count ≥5, Psoriatic Arthritis Severity Index (PASI) score ≥10, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate ≥28 mm Hg/1st hour and/or C-reactive protein ≥10 mg/L.

Results of a modified non-penetrating deep sclerectomy in the treatment of open angle glaucoma with or without cataract.

Purpose: To present the technique of a modified deep sclerectomy, which we will call "reversed" deep sclerectomy (RDS) and the results and our observations of its use in patients with open angle glaucoma (OAG) and with or without cataract extraction (phacoemulsification).

Materials And Methods: This prospective study included 132 eyes which underwent RDS: 37 eyes (group A) with uncontrolled OAG and 95 eyes (group B) with OAG and visually significant cataract. Mean pressure preoperatively for group A was 24.

A modified deep sclerectomy with or without external trabeculectomy: a comparative study.

Purpose: To determine whether the removal of the inner wall of Schlemm's canal (external trabeculectomy) improves the effectiveness of a modified method of deep sclerectomy (DS), which we will call "reversed" deep sclerectomy (RDS).

Materials And Method: We conducted a prospective study of two groups of patients. Group A included 22 eyes of 18 patients with open angle glaucoma (OAG) under maximum medical treatment, which underwent RDS - a modified method of performing DS - with the removal of the inner wall of Schlemm's canal (external trabeculectomy) and without using any implant.

Brain natriuretic peptide plasma levels as a marker of prognosis in patients with community-acquired infection.

The aim of this study was to determine the role of the N-terminal prohormone form of BNP (NT-proBNP) in patients with acute community-acquired infection as a predictive marker and its correlation with the type of infection. We studied 42 patients with acute community-acquired infection. Levels of NT-proBNP were measured in all patients at hospital admission and on the third day, as well as in a control group of 84 healthy blood donors.