Autonomic nervous system dysregulation in children with monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis.

AIM: To investigate the role of autonomic nervous system in subpopulations of children with enuresis. METHODS: We included 35 children with enuresis, divided in children with (17) and without nocturnal polyuria (18) and 43 healthy controls. For all participants hormones and neurotransmitters were measured. Patients and controls wore a sleep tracker device and children with enuresis underwent a 24 h blood pressure monitoring, nocturnal urine output measurement and uroflowmetry. RESULTS: Children with enuresis had lower than controls copeptin and aldosterone, with the latter being more prominent in patients without nocturnal polyuria. Dopamine was lower in patients without nocturnal polyuria compared with patients with nocturnal polyuria. Children without polyuria experienced episodes only during NREM sleep, whereas in children with polyuria episodes occurred in both REM and NREM sleep. Children with enuresis experienced a non-dipping phenomenon during sleep which was more prominent in the group without polyuria. CONCLUSION: In patients with nocturnal polyuria, nocturnal enuresis is associated with sympathetic hyperactivity which results in pressure polyuria and significantly lower systolic dipping during sleep. On the contrary, in children without nocturnal polyuria, it is mostly associated with bladder overactivity due to parasympathetic overstimulation as demonstrated by the NREM-related enuretic episodes and the lower aldosterone and dopamine levels.

Characteristics of Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea at High Risk for Cardiovascular Disease.

Background and Objectives: To evaluate the influence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)-related symptoms on prevalent cardiovascular disease (CVD) in a large clinical population of patients. Materials and Methods: A total of 2127 patients (mean age 55 years, 24% women) underwent diagnostic polysomnography and were evaluated using the Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS), the Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS), and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). We investigated the predictive value of OSA-associated symptoms for prevalent cardiovascular disease, after adjustment for relevant confounding factors including age, obesity, and co-morbidities. Results: Patients with OSA and CVD were older and had a higher Body Mass Index (BMI); the percentage of obese patients was also higher (83% vs. 70%, p < 0001). They also had greater neck, waist, and hip circumferences and a higher waist-to-hip ratio. Excessive daytime sleepiness (ESS ≥ 10) [odds ratio (95% CI) 1.112 (0.708-1.748), p = 0.64], insomnia symptoms (AIS ≥ 6) [odds ratio (95% CI) 0.748 (0.473-1.184), p = 0.21], frequent awakenings [odds ratio (95% CI) 1.599 (1.019-2.508), p = 0.06], and nocturia [odds ratio (95% CI) 1.359 (0.919-2.009), p = 0.124] were not associated with CVD after adjustment for the previous confounders. On the other hand, depressive symptoms (BDI ≥ 10) independently predicted prevalent CVD [odds ratio (95% CI) 1.476 (1.154-1.887), p = 0.002]. Further analysis in subgroups stratified by age, BMI, and gender demonstrated that depressive symptoms predicted prevalent CVD but only in the subgroup of younger (age group < 60 years), obese (BMI group ≥ 30), and male (OR = 1.959, 95% CI = 1.209-3.175, p = 0.006) OSA patients. Conclusions: OSA patients with CVD were more likely to complain of less typical OSA symptoms and depressive symptoms compared to patients without CVD in this large clinical patient cohort, supportingthecomplexity and heterogeneityof OSA.

Unique sleep-stage transitions determined by obstructive sleep apnea severity, age and gender.

In obstructive sleep apnea, patients' sleep is fragmented leading to excessive daytime sleepiness and co-morbidities like arterial hypertension. However, traditional metrics are not always directly correlated with daytime sleepiness, and the association between traditional sleep quality metrics like sleep duration and arterial hypertension is still ambiguous. In a development cohort, we analysed hypnograms from mild (n = 209), moderate (n = 222) and severe (n = 272) obstructive sleep apnea patients as well as healthy controls (n = 105) from the European Sleep Apnea Database. We assessed sleep by the analysis of two-step transitions depending on obstructive sleep apnea severity and anthropometric factors. Two-step transition patterns were examined for an association to arterial hypertension or daytime sleepiness. We also tested cumulative distributions of wake as well as sleep-states for power-laws (exponent α) and exponential distributions (decay time τ) in dependency on obstructive sleep apnea severity and potential confounders. Independent of obstructive sleep apnea severity and potential confounders, wake-state durations followed a power-law distribution, while sleep-state durations were characterized by an exponential distribution. Sleep-stage transitions are influenced by obstructive sleep apnea severity, age and gender. N2 → N3 → wake transitions were associated with high diastolic blood pressure. We observed higher frequencies of alternating (symmetric) patterns (e.g. N2 → N1 → N2, N2 → wake → N2) in sleepy patients both in the development cohort and in a validation cohort (n = 425). In conclusion, effects of obstructive sleep apnea severity and potential confounders on sleep architecture are small, but transition patterns still link sleep fragmentation directly to obstructive sleep apnea-related clinical outcomes like arterial hypertension and daytime sleepiness.

Does gender matter: sex-specific aspects of symptoms, outcome, and therapy of obstructive sleep apnea.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has historically been considered as a male disease. As a result, female individuals with OSA were often under-diagnosed and under-treated compared with male individuals. However, recent data suggest that several OSA-associated adverse cardiovascular outcomes are more pronounced in women. RECENT FINDINGS: This review provides a summary of the most relevant recent evidence with regard to sex-specific OSA characteristics, including atypical symptoms, greater quality of life impairment and several more pronounced adverse outcomes in female individuals compared with male individuals. It also provides updated evidence on the influence of female gender on under-treatment of OSA with limited evidence supporting gender differences in the effects of OSA treatment. SUMMARY: There is evidence suggesting gender-based differences in the frequency, severity, clinical presentation, and outcomes of OSA. The recognition of these gender differences could improve screening with development of female-specific screening instruments, early diagnosis, and individualized therapeutic plans towards better disease management and its outcomes.

Obstructive sleep apnea in pulmonary fibrosis.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: In previous years, there was limited research related to the role of sleep in interstitial lung diseases (ILDs). Physicians treating ILD patients tended to focus mainly on the daily disabling symptoms overlooking the possible significant role of coexisting sleep disorders, such as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). However, recently, there has been a growing interest in OSA in ILDs, as well as OSA effect on sleep, life quality and outcome in these patients with emphasis on idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). RECENT FINDINGS: OSA has been recognized as an important, high-prevalence comorbidity for the diagnosis and management of IPF. This publication provides a summary of the most relevant recent evidence with regard to OSA in various ILDs and especially IPF, including prevalence, clinical presentation, complications, screening and diagnosis. It also provides updated evidence on the role of OSA therapy in improving sleep, quality of life and disease outcome. SUMMARY: It is too early to characterize OSA and ILDs association as an 'overlap' syndrome. In depth research is needed, including studies with large numbers of ILDs and IPF patients. The main priority is to increase the awareness among physicians for early diagnosis of OSA in ILDs patients.

Clinical presentation of patients with suspected obstructive sleep apnea and self-reported physician-diagnosed asthma in the ESADA cohort.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and asthma are often associated and several studies suggest a bidirectional relationship between asthma and OSA. This study analyzed the characteristics of patients with suspected OSA from the European Sleep Apnea Database according to presence/absence of physician-diagnosed asthma. Cross-sectional data in 16,236 patients (29.1% female) referred for suspected OSA were analyzed according to occurrence of physician-diagnosed asthma for anthropometrics, OSA severity and sleepiness. Sleep structure was assessed in patients studied by polysomnography (i.e. 48% of the sample). The prevalence of physician-diagnosed asthma in the entire cohort was 4.8% (7.9% in women, 3.7% in men, p < 0.0001), and decreased from subjects without OSA to patients with mild-moderate and severe OSA (p = 0.02). Obesity was highly prevalent in asthmatic women, whereas BMI distribution was similar in men with and without physician-diagnosed asthma. Distribution of OSA severity was similar in patients with and without physician-diagnosed asthma, and unaffected by treatment for asthma or gastroesophageal reflux. Asthma was associated with poor sleep quality and sleepiness. Physician-diagnosed asthma was less common in a sleep clinic population than expected from the results of studies in the general population. Obesity appears as the major factor raising suspicion of OSA in asthmatic women, whereas complaints of poor sleep quality were the likely reason for referral in asthmatic men.

Evaluation of Inflammatory Markers in a Large Sample of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Patients without Comorbidities.

Systemic inflammation is important in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) pathophysiology and its comorbidity. We aimed to assess the levels of inflammatory biomarkers in a large sample of OSA patients and to investigate any correlation between these biomarkers with clinical and polysomnographic (PSG) parameters. This was a cross-sectional study in which 2983 patients who had undergone a polysomnography for OSA diagnosis were recruited. Patients with known comorbidities were excluded. Included patients (n = 1053) were grouped according to apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) as mild, moderate, and severe. Patients with AHI < 5 served as controls. Demographics, PSG data, and levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), fibrinogen, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and uric acid (UA) were measured and compared between groups. A significant difference was found between groups in hs-CRP, fibrinogen, and UA. All biomarkers were independently associated with OSA severity and gender (p < 0.05). Females had increased levels of hs-CRP, fibrinogen, and ESR (p < 0.001) compared to men. In contrast, UA levels were higher in men (p < 0.001). Our results suggest that inflammatory markers significantly increase in patients with OSA without known comorbidities and correlate with OSA severity. These findings may have important implications regarding OSA diagnosis, monitoring, treatment, and prognosis. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov number NCT03070769.

Tiotropium Respimat Soft Mist Inhaler versus HandiHaler to improve sleeping oxygen saturation and sleep quality in COPD.

PURPOSE: Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have poor sleep quality as a result of various alterations in oxygenation parameters and sleep macro- and micro-architecture. There is a shortage of data to support the efficacy of long-acting inhaled anticholinergic agents in improving these adverse effects, which are known to have a negative impact on clinical outcomes. We aimed to compare the tiotropium Respimat Soft Mist Inhaler and the HandiHaler in terms of their effects on sleeping oxygen saturation (SaO2) and sleep quality in patients with COPD. METHODS: In a randomized, open-label, parallel-group trial involving 200 patients with mild to moderate COPD (resting arterial oxygen tension >60 mmHg while awake), we compared the effects of 6 months' treatment with the two devices on sleeping SaO2 and sleep quality. Overnight polysomnography and pulmonary function testing were performed at baseline and after 6 months' treatment. RESULTS: A total of 188 patients completed the trial. Both groups showed significant improvement in minimum sleep SaO2 and time of sleep spent with SaO2 below 90 (TST90) compared to baseline. The patients using the Respimat had significantly better TST90 than did those using the HandiHaler. Sleep disturbance was highly variable in these patients, but the sleep stage durations were significantly better in the Respimat group. CONCLUSIONS: Sleeping SaO2 can be improved by tiotropium delivered using either the HandiHaler device or the Respimat Soft Mist Inhaler. However, the patients who used the Respimat device had significantly better TST90 and sleep architecture parameters.

Multum non multa: airway distensibility by forced oscillations.

Airway distensibility although appears to be unaffected by airway smooth muscle tone probably related to airway remodelling, after bronchodilator treatment is significantly increased in subjects with asthma. We assessed airway distensibity and its first moment derivative in two patients with mild intermittent asthma and normal spirometry. The increase in airway distensibility after bronchodilation measured at the tidal volume range during quiet breathing by forced oscillations was not accompanied by a change in its first moment, while the latter showed a significant increase in a second patient after anti-inflammatory treatment. It appears that airway distensibility is sensitive to reduction of bronchial smooth muscle tone after bronchodilation, but in addition its first moment might provide information on a change of both bronchial smooth muscle tone and small airways inflammation.

Obstructive sleep apnea should be treated in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: The most recent idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) guidelines include obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) among the IPF-associated comorbidities. Furthermore, they recognize the paucity of studies related to continuous positive airway pressure(CPAP) treatment in this patient group and call for intensive research in this field. Our aim was to assess the effect of CPAP treatment on sleep and overall life quality parameters, morbidity, and mortality in IPF patients with OSA. METHODS: Ninety-two treatment-naive, newly diagnosed, consecutive IPF patients underwent overnight-attended polysomnography (PSG). In those patients with an apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) of ≥15, therapy with CPAP was initiated. Patients were divided into poor and good CPAP compliance groups. All subjects completed multiple quality-of-life and sleep instruments before CPAP initiation and at 1 year after the start of CPAP treatment. RESULTS: The good CPAP compliance group (37 patients) showed statistically significant improvement in all quality-of-life and sleep instruments after 1 year's CPAP treatment. The poor CPAP compliance group (18 patients) showed significant changes of smaller strength only in a minority of the used instruments. During the 24-month follow-up period after CPAP initiation, three patients from the CPAP poor compliance group died, whereas all patients from the good CPAP compliance group remained alive. CONCLUSION: Early OSA recognition and treatment is crucial in a fatal disease such as IPF. Effective CPAP treatment in IPF patients with OSA results in a significant improvement in daily living activities and quality of sleep and life. Good CPAP compliance appears to improve mortality.

Expression of YKL-40 and MIP-1a proteins in exudates and transudates: biomarkers for differential diagnosis of pleural effusions? A pilot study.

BACKGROUND: YKL-40 is an extracellular matrix glycoprotein with a significant role in tissue inflammation and remodeling. MIP-1a has chemotactic and pro-inflammatory properties, and is induced by YKL-40 in several lung disorders. The aim of this study was to determine the levels of YKL-40 and MIP-1a in blood serum and pleural fluids of various pulmonary diseases, and to evaluate their potential role as differential diagnosis biomarkers. METHODS: We recruited 60 patients (age: 62.5 ± 20.6 years) with pleural effusions: 49 exudates and 11 transudates (T). Exudates were further classified based on the underlying disease: ten with tuberculosis (TB), 13 with lung cancer (LCa), 15 with metastatic cancer (MCa) of non-lung origin and 11 with parapneumonic (PN) effusions. YKL-40 and MIP-1a levels were measured by ELISA. RESULTS: Pleural YKL-40 levels (ng/ml) were similar among all patient groups (TB: 399 ± 36, LCa: 401 ± 112, MCa: 416 ± 34, PN: 401 ± 50, T: 399 ± 42, p = 0.92). On the contrary, YKL-40 was significantly lower in the serum of TB patients (TB: 58 ± 22, LCa: 212 ± 106, MCa: 254 ± 140, PN: 265 ± 140, T: 229 ± 123, p < 0.001). Pleural MIP-1a protein levels (ng/ml) were statistically lower only in patients with LCa (TB: 25.0 ± 20.2, LCa: 7.3 ± 6.0, MCa: 16.1 ± 14.9, PN: 25.4 ± 27.9, T: 18.5 ± 7.9, p = 0.012), a finding also observed in serum MIP-1a levels (TB: 17.1 ± 7.6, LCa: 9.4 ± 7.0, MCa: 28.7 ± 28.7, PN: 33.3 ± 24.0, T: 22.9 ± 8.7, p = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that both YKL-40 and MIP-1a, particularly in serum, could prove useful for the differentiation of pleural effusions in clinical practice, especially of TB or LCa origin. However, large-scale studies are needed to validate these findings.

Intensive versus standard follow-up to improve continuous positive airway pressure compliance.

We aimed to compare the effect of intensive versus standard interventions on continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) adherence 2 years after CPAP initiation, as well as on sleepiness, quality of life, depression, hospitalisation and death rate due to cardiovascular disease (CVD). 3100 patients with newly diagnosed sleep apnoea were randomised into the standard group, with usual follow-up care, or the intensive group, with additional visits, telephone calls and education. Subjective daytime sleepiness (Epworth Sleepiness Scale; ESS), quality of life (36-item Short Form Health Survey; SF-36) and the patient's level of depression (Beck Depression Inventory; BDI) were recorded before and 2 years after CPAP initiation, together with CVD hospitalisations and death rate. 2 years after CPAP initiation, the intensive group used CPAP significantly more than the standard group (6.9 versus 5.2 h per night; p<0.001). ESS, SF-36 and BDI scores were also significantly better in the intensive group. Furthermore, the standard group had significantly more deaths and hospitalisations due to CVD. CPAP usage can be improved by both intensive and standard patient support. However, the patients who received intensive CPAP support had significantly better ESS, BDI and SF-36 scores, and lower cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, suggesting that an intensive programme could be worthwhile.

Abnormal cytokine profile in patients with obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome and erectile dysfunction.

Patients with obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) show a high prevalence of erectile dysfunction (ED). Although the underlying pathogenesis is still unknown, endothelial dysfunction, induced by inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, and adhesion molecules, has been proposed as a possible mechanism. The aim of this study was to assess whether OSAHS is associated with activation of the inflammatory cytokine system in patients with ED compared to the matched OSAHS patients with normal sexual function. Thirty-one patients with severe OSAHS and ED were included. Fifteen patients with severe OSAHS and without ED served as controls. Serum concentrations of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-a), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8), and adiponectin were measured after the diagnostic polysomnography. We found that hsCRP levels were significantly elevated in OSAHS patients with ED compared to controls. Similarly, TNF-a levels, IL-6, and IL-8 were elevated in OSAHS patients with ED compared to controls. Serum adiponectin levels were lower in OSAHS-ED patients, but the difference did not reach statistical significance. The presence of ED in patients with severe OSAHS is associated with elevated levels of inflammatory markers, underlining a possible involvement of endothelial dysfunction in the pathogenesis of ED.

CPAP therapy in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and obstructive sleep apnea: does it offer a better quality of life and sleep?

BACKGROUND: The recent literature shows an increased incidence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). On the other hand, there are no published studies related to continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment in this patient group. Our aim was to assess the effect of CPAP on sleep and overall life quality parameters in IPF patients with OSA and to recognize and overcome possible difficulties in CPAP initiation and acceptance by these patients. METHODS: Twelve patients (ten males and two females, age 67.1 ± 7.2 years) with newly diagnosed IPF and moderate to severe OSA, confirmed by overnight attended polysomnography, were included. Therapy with CPAP was initiated after a formal in-lab CPAP titration study. The patients completed the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the Functional Outcomes in Sleep Questionnaire (FOSQ), the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), the SF-36 quality of life questionnaire, and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) at CPAP initiation and after 1, 3, and 6 months of effective CPAP therapy. RESULTS: A statistically significant improvement was observed in the FOSQ at 1, 3, and 6 months after CPAP initiation (baseline 12.9 ± 2.9 vs. 14.7 ± 2.6 vs. 15.8 ± 2.1 vs. 16.9 ± 1.9, respectively, p = 0.02). Improvement, although not statistically significant, was noted in ESS score (9.2 ± 5.6 vs. 7.6 ± 4.9 vs. 7.5 ± 5.3 vs. 7.7 ± 5.2, p = 0.84), PSQI (10.7 ± 4.4 vs. 10.1 ± 4.3 vs. 9.4 ± 4.7 vs. 8.6 ± 5.2, p = 0.66), FSS (39.5 ± 10.2 vs. 34.8 ± 8.5 vs. 33.6 ± 10.7 vs. 33.4 ± 10.9, p = 0.44), SF-36 (63.2 ± 13.9 vs. 68.9 ± 13.5 vs. 72.1 ± 12.9 vs. 74.4 ± 11.3, p = 0.27), and BDI (12.9 ± 5.5 vs. 10.7 ± 4.3 vs. 9.4 ± 4.8 vs. 9.6 ± 4.5, p = 0.40). Two patients had difficulty complying with CPAP for a variety of reasons (nocturnal cough, claustrophobia, insomnia) and stopped CPAP use after the first month, despite intense follow-up by the CPAP clinic staff. Heated humidification was added for all patients in order to improve the common complaint of disabling nocturnal cough. CONCLUSION: Effective CPAP treatment in IPF patients with OSA results in a significant improvement in daily living activities based on the FOSQ, namely an OSA-specific follow-up instrument. Improvement was also noted in other questionnaires assessing quality of life, though not to a statistically significant degree, probably because of the multifactorial influences of IPF on physical and mental health. The probability of poor CPAP compliance was high and could only be eliminated with intense follow-up by the CPAP clinic staff.

Translation and validation of Berlin questionnaire in primary health care in Greece.

BACKGROUND: The aim of our study was to validate a Greek translation of the Berlin Questionnaire (BQ) for obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) and to explore whether this screening questionnaire could be used to help identify primary care patients at greater risk of having OSAS. METHODS: We recruited 189 patients visiting a primary health care setting on the island of Crete, Greece. They all completed the Greek Version of the BQ. Patients were then referred to a Sleep Disorders Unit for evaluation of suspected sleep-disordered breathing. RESULTS: A PSG study was performed in 129 of the 189 subjects (68.3%). BQ identified 74.4% (n = 96) of the patients as high-risk for OSAS and the remaining 25.6% (n = 33) as low-risk. The sensitivity and specificity of BQ for OSAS diagnosis were 76% and 40%, respectively, for an apnoea-hypopnoea index (AHI) ≥5 per hour but <15 per hour, 84% and 61% for an AHI ≥15 per hour but ≤30 per hour, and 79% and 39% for an AHI >30 per hour. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, the Greek Version of the BQ is a useful instrument for identifying patients at risk for OSAS in primary health care in Greece. The findings of our study confirm that such screening tools should be used by primary care clinicians for OSAS prediction.

A Dietary and Lifestyle Intervention Improves Treatment Adherence and Clinical Outcomes in Overweight and Obese Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Randomized, Controlled Trial.

The study's objective was to assess the impact of Mediterranean diet/lifestyle interventions for weight loss on positive airway pressure (PAP) adherence, body mass index (ΒΜΙ), sleepiness, and blood pressure measurements (BP) in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). We designed a randomized, controlled trial, including overweight and obese patients with moderate to severe OSA, randomized to standard care (SCG, n = 37) or a Mediterranean diet group (MDG, n = 37). The SCG received healthy lifestyle advice, while the MDG underwent a 6-month behavioral intervention aiming to enhance weight loss and adherence to a Mediterranean diet. PAP adherence, BMI, Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), and BP measurements were evaluated pre- and post-intervention. Post-intervention PAP use was higher in the MDG compared to the SCG (6.1 vs. 5.4, p = 0.02). Diet/lifestyle intervention was one of the most significant predictive factors for PAP adherence (OR = 5.458, 95% CI = 1.144-26.036, p = 0.03). The SCG demonstrated a rise in BMI, while the MDG displayed a decline (0.41 vs. -0.75, p = 0.02). The MDG also demonstrated a substantial reduction in adjusted SBP (-5.5 vs. 2.8, p = 0.014) and DBP (-4.0 vs. 2.5, p = 0.01). Ultimately, incorporating a dietary/lifestyle intervention with standard care yields superior PAP adherence, BMI, and BP measurements in contrast to standard care alone, emphasizing the advantages of dedicating more time and support within the MDG.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on positive airway pressure adherence and patients' perspectives in Greece: the role of telemedicine.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: To analyze the impact of national lockdowns in Greece on positive airway pressure adherence, patients' perspectives regarding COVID-19 pandemic and the role of telemedicine. METHODS: 872 obstructive sleep apnea patients from southern and 673 from northern Greece, under positive airway pressure treatment, were evaluated with adherence data available 12 months prior to and 3 months after the first and second lockdown. Telemedicine, locally available as part of a research protocol, was used for patient's follow-up in southern Greece and standard follow-up procedures were implemented in northern Greece. We analyzed the impact of COVID-19 lockdown on positive airway pressure adherence and patients' concerns regarding COVID-19 infection. RESULTS: Significant difference was noted in positive airway pressure adherence as measured by the hours of use at 12 months prior to and at the 3 months after the first lockdown in southern (5.6 vs 6.6, P = .003) and northern Greece (5.3 vs 6.0, P = .03). The proportion of patients with optimal adherence (≥ 6 hours) increased by 18% (P = .004) in southern and by 9% (P = .20) in northern Greece after the first lockdown and remained steady after the second lockdown in both groups. In southern Greece, 23% of patients reported that they were concerned about getting COVID-19 due to obstructive sleep apnea diagnosis, while only 3% reported decreased sleep duration. Moreover, 9% were concerned that the presence of obstructive sleep apnea would make them more susceptible for worse outcome in case of COVID-19 infection. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that maintaining follow-up using telemedicine had a positive influence pointing out the potential role of digital health. CITATION: Bouloukaki I, Pataka A, Mauroudi E, Moniaki V, Fanaridis M, Schiza SE. Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on positive airway pressure adherence and patients' perspectives in Greece: the role of telemedicine. J Clin Sleep Med. 2023;19(10):1743-1751.

Evaluation of Drug Interactions in Hospitalized Patients with Respiratory Disorders in Greece.

Background: Patients with respiratory disorders often have additional diseases and are usually treated with more than one medication to manage their respiratory conditions as well as additional comorbidities. Thus, they are frequently exposed to polypharmacy (≥5 drugs), which raises the risk for drug-drug interactions (DDIs) and adverse drug reactions (ADRs). In this work, we present the results regarding the prevalence of DDIs in hospitalized patients with respiratory disorders in Greece. Methods: A 6-month descriptive single-center retrospective observational study enrolled 102 patients with acute or chronic respiratory disorders. Clinical characteristics and medication regimens were recorded upon admission, hospitalization, and discharge. The prevalence of DDIs and their clinical significance was recorded and analyzed. Results: Unspecified acute lower respiratory tract infection (25%), exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (12%) and pneumonia (8%) were the most frequent reasons for admission. Cardiovascular disorders (46%), co-existing respiratory disorders (32%), and diabetes (25%) were the most prevalent comorbidities. Polypharmacy was noted in 61% of patients upon admission, 98% during hospitalization, and 63% upon discharge. Associated DDIs were estimated to be 55% upon admission, 96% throughout hospitalization, and 63% on discharge. Pharmacodynamic (PD) DDIs were the most prevalent cases (81%) and referred mostly to potential risk for QT-prolongation (31.4% of PD-DDIs) or modulation of coagulation process as expressed through the international normalized ratio (INR) (29.0% of DDIs). Pharmacokinetic (PK) DDIs (19% of DDIs) were due to inhibition of Cytochrome P450 mediated metabolism that could lead to elevated systemic drug concentrations. Clinically significant DDIs characterized as "serious-use alternative" related to 7% of cases while 59% of DDIs referred to combinations that could be characterized as "use with caution-monitor". Clinically significant DDIs mostly referred to medication regimens upon admission and discharge and were associated with outpatient prescriptions. Conclusions: Hospitalized patients with respiratory disorders often experience multimorbidity and polypharmacy that raise the risk of DDIs. Clinicians should be conscious especially if any occurring arrhythmias, INR modulations, and prolonged or increased drug action is associated with DDIs.

Sleep and cardiometabolic comorbidities in the obstructive sleep apnoea-COPD overlap syndrome: data from the European Sleep Apnoea Database.

Aim: The impact of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA)-COPD overlap syndrome (OVS) on sleep quality and cardiovascular outcomes has not been fully explored. We aimed to compare clinical and polysomnographic characteristics of patients with OVS versus patients with OSA, and to explore pathophysiological links between OVS and comorbidities. Study design and methods: This cross-sectional analysis initially included data from 5600 patients with OSA and lung function in the European Sleep Apnoea Database. Two subgroups of patients with OSA (n=1018) or OVS (n=509) were matched (2:1) based on sex, age, body mass index and apnoea-hypopnea index at baseline. Results: After matching, patients with OVS had more severe hypoxia, lower sleep efficiency and presented with higher prevalences of arterial hypertension, ischaemic heart disease and heart failure compared with patients with OSA. OVS was associated with a significant decrease in sleep efficiency (mean difference (ß) -3.0%, 95% CI -4.7 to -1.3) and in nocturnal mean peripheral oxyhaemoglobin saturation (SpO2) (ß -1.1%, 95% CI -1.5 to -0.7). Further analysis revealed that a decrease in forced expiratory volume in 1 s and arterial oxygen tension was related to a decrease in sleep efficiency and in mean nocturnal SpO2. A COPD diagnosis increased the odds of having heart failure by 1.75 (95% CI 1.15-2.67) and systemic hypertension by 1.36 (95% CI 1.07-1.73). Nocturnal hypoxia was strongly associated with comorbidities; the mean nocturnal SpO2 and T90 (increase in time below SpO2 of 90%) were associated with increased odds of systemic hypertension, diabetes and heart failure but the oxygen desaturation index was only related to hypertension and diabetes. Conclusion: Patients with OVS presented with more sleep-related hypoxia, a reduced sleep quality and a higher risk for heart failure and hypertension.

Effect of Mediterranean diet versus prudent diet combined with physical activity on OSAS: a randomised trial.

We aimed to evaluate the effect of the Mediterranean diet (MD) compared with a prudent diet (PD) combined with physical activity on obese obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) patients who were treated with continuous positive airway pressure. 900 patients were evaluated and 40 obese patients (body mass index ≥ 30.0 kg · m(-2)) who met the inclusion criteria, with moderate-to-severe OSAS (apnoea-hypopnoea index (AHI) >15 events · h(-1) and Epworth Sleepiness Scale score >10) based on overnight attended polysomnography, were included in the study. After randomisation, 20 patients followed the MD and 20 a PD for a 6-month period. All patients were counselled to increase their physical activity. Concerning sleep parameters, only AHI during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep was reduced to a statistically significant degree, by mean ± SD 18.4 ± 17.6 events · h(-1) in the MD group and by 2.6 ± 23.7 events · h(-1) in the PD group (p<0.05). The MD group also showed a greater reduction in waist circumference (WC) (-8.7 ± 3.6 cm), WC/height ratio (-0.04 ± 0.02 cm · m(-1)) and WC/hip ratio (-0.04 ± 0.03 cm · cm(-1)), compared with the other group (-2.6 ± 1.7 events · h(-1), -5.7 ± 3.8 cm, -0.03 ± 0.02 cm · m(-1) and 0.02 ± 0.02 cm · cm(-1), respectively; p<0.05). Our results showed that the MD combined with physical activity for a 6-month period was effective in reducing the AHI during REM sleep without any statistically significant effect in the other sleep parameters, compared with a PD in obese adults with moderate-to-severe OSAS.