Background: Clinical characteristics of women with different obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) severity and adherence to continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy have not been previously explored.Aims: To assess OSA prevalence, predictors, clinical and polysomnographic (PSG) characteristics and adherence to CPAP therapy among adult Australian women in a retrospective study.Methods: All female patients who underwent a diagnostic PSG between 2014 and 2015 were included. CPAP adherence was assessed during the study period between 2018 and 2019 using multiple regression models.Results: Among a total of 591 women included in this study (Aboriginal, n = 86), OSA was diagnosed in 458/591 (78%) patients; mild, moderate and severe OSA was present in 44%, 27% and 29% respectively. Older age, higher BMI and hypertension predicted the presence and severity of OSA. The Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) score was not significantly different with (8 (5, 12)) or without (10 (5, 13)) OSA. PSG showed the rapid eye movement (REM) sleep-associated apnoea−hypopnea index (AHI) was higher with all severity of OSA. Adherence to CPAP therapy was noted in 171 (57%) patients; 47% mild, 57% moderate and 63% with severe OSA respectively. Three multiple regression models (clinical, PSG parameters, OSA severity, combined (clinical and PSG)) showed the combined model had the strongest predictive value and demonstrated that higher ESS and more severe oxygen desaturation were associated with CPAP adherence irrespective of OSA severity.Conclusions: Older age, higher BMI and the presence of hypertension predicted the presence of OSA. The REM sleep-related AHI was higher. Adherence to CPAP was associated with symptomatic OSA and severe oxygen desaturation.

Diagnosis of pulmonary mass lesions can be challenging with several possible differentials. A 41-year-old Caucasian woman presented with intermittent non-specific chest pain on a background of 30 pack years of smoking history. A CT scan of the chest confirmed an opacity in the right lower lobe suspicious for primary pulmonary malignancy and PET scan showed moderate FDG avidity of the lesion. Conventional flexible bronchoscopy did not demonstrate an endobronchial lesion, Using Endobrochial Ultrasound (EBUS) Guide sheath technique, the lesion was localized in the posterior segment of the right lower lobe. Brushings, biopsies and washings were taken through the guide sheath, along with transbronchial cryobiopsy. Culture of bronchial brushings from the lesion on Ashdown's agar medium showed Burkholderia pseudomallei , confirming melioidosis. Treatment was with intravenous ceftazidime for 4 weeks, followed by oral sulphamethoxazole/trimethoprim for 3 months. During the follow up visits, the patient demonstrated significant improvement both clinically and radiologically.

Diffuse pulmonary metastasis secondary to primary peritoneal malignant mesothelioma is rarely reported in the literature. In this report we describe a 59-year-old Caucasian women with no known previous asbestos exposure presenting with bilateral diffuse pulmonary opacities in association with primary malignant peritoneal mesothelioma. The diagnosis was confirmed by ultrasound guided abdominal and bronchoscopy, trans-bronchial lung biopsy. The biopsy demonstrated positive staining with AE1/3, CK7, CK5/6, WT1, calretinin and D2 40. The cells were negative for BerEP4, PAX8, CA125, ER, CD34, ERG, P63, P40, Melan A, Gata3 and mammaglobin. The morphology and immunohistochemical profile supported a diagnosis of epithelioid malignant mesothelioma.

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