Background: 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. Methods: We enrolled patients who were diagnosed with OSA during the COVID-19 pandemic. Adherence was defined as CPAP use ≥4 h per night on ≥70% of nights over 30 consecutive days. Patient demographics were retrieved from medical records, and CPAP adherence at 6 months and 1 year after initiation was monitored. Results: Overall, 107 patients were included in the analysis. A number of 73 (68%) and 63 (59%) patients were adherent to CPAP treatment at 6 months and 12 months accordingly. Among the factors examined and analyzed (age, gender, BMI, Apnea–Hypopnea Index (AHI)), no significant correlation was found. Further analysis revealed the potential role of comorbidities. CPAP compliance at 6 months was shown to be associated with better CPAP adherence at 12 months. Conclusions: CPAP adherence at 6 months is correlated to long-term adherence to treatment. Therefore, early close follow-up is important. Further prospective studies are needed to identify other potential predictors.

Background: Accurate and timely molecular testing in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is mandatory for targeted therapies and improved outcomes. Real-world obstacles, including geographic distance from specialized lung cancer services, along with comorbidities, may delay molecular diagnosis and subsequent treatment, therefore hampering survival. Methods: We conducted a retrospective, multi-departmental observational study of 927 patients with newly diagnosed NSCLC that were referred to a tertiary hospital in western Greece between January 2021 and December 2024. Patients were classified based on distance of residence (<30 km vs. ≥30 km). Clinical characteristics, time elapsed from pathological to final molecular diagnosis, and survival outcomes were analyzed and compared. Multivariable Cox regression was used to identify independent predictors of overall survival. Results: Patients residing ≥30 km away (61.2%) experienced delays in molecular testing (median 31 vs. 26 days, p = 0.002) and were less likely to undergo such testing (p = 0.012) compared to those residing 30 km also had a higher prevalence of COPD (42.5% vs. 31.2%, p = 0.002). Median survival from initial pathological diagnosis to death was significantly shorter in non-urban patients (129 vs. 215 days, p = 0.010). A molecular testing delay >35 days was independently associated with worse survival (HR = 0.684, 95% CI: 0.508–0.923, p = 0.013). No differences in TNM stage distribution were observed between geographical groups. Conclusions: Geographic disparities significantly impact access to advanced lung cancer services and molecular diagnostics and may provisionally affect prognosis in NSCLC. Improving testing pathways, incorporating reflex testing in pathological molecular analysis, and optimizing referral systems in rural areas may help to reduce inequalities and improve patient outcomes.

Background: Hemoptysis is a potentially life-threatening respiratory emergency that requires prompt evaluation and management. Bronchial artery embolization (BAE) is currently regarded as the first-line treatment for massive and recurrent hemoptysis because of its high technical and clinical success rates, minimally invasive nature, and favorable safety profile. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the technical and clinical outcomes of bronchial artery embolization in patients presenting with hemoptysis, including procedure-related complications and recurrence during follow-up. Methods: A single-center, retrospective, observational study was conducted. Thirty-five consecutive adult patients (37 procedures) who underwent BAE for hemoptysis between January 2018 and April 2026 were identified. Immediate outcomes were analyzed in all patients, whereas follow-up outcomes were analyzed in the 30 patients (32 procedures) with available follow-up data. Clinical, imaging, procedural, and follow-up data were collected from electronic medical records and the Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS). Technical success (per procedure) was defined as embolization of all angiographically identified target arteries with achievement of the angiographic endpoint, and clinical success (per patient) as complete cessation or significant reduction in hemoptysis within 48 h after the index BAE, sustained until discharge; persistent bleeding or rebleeding before discharge was classified as clinical failure. Recurrence of hemoptysis was assessed separately during follow-up and was defined as any new episode of hemoptysis occurring after discharge in patients with initial clinical success, regardless of severity or the need for repeat embolization. Results: Technical success was achieved in all 37 procedures (100%) and clinical success in 34/35 patients (97.1%); the remaining patient underwent successful repeat BAE during the index hospitalization. Procedure-related adverse events occurred after 2/37 procedures (5.4%) and consisted of transient chest pain due to non-target embolization of Onyx into intercostal branches (CIRSE grade 1); no major complications occurred. In the 30 patients with follow-up (median 14.6 months), recurrent hemoptysis occurred in 3 (10.0%), all within the first year, and one (3.3%) required repeat BAE. Conclusions: In this single-center retrospective series, BAE, performed predominantly with liquid embolic agents, was associated with high technical and clinical success and a low rate of minor procedure-related complications. These findings are descriptive and hypothesis-generating. Because of the retrospective design, small sample size, attrition, heterogeneous etiologies, and absence of a comparator group, no conclusions on comparative effectiveness can be drawn. Larger prospective multicenter studies are needed.