PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Dumitrache-Rujinski, Stefan
AU  - Calcaianu, George
AU  - Zaharia, Dragos
AU  - Croitoru, Alina
AU  - Bogdan, Miron
TI  - The role of desaturation index evaluated by nocturnal pulse oximetry in recognition of sleep apnea syndrome in patients with morbid obesity
DP  - 2012 Sep 01
TA  - European Respiratory Journal
PG  - P914
VI  - 40
IP  - Suppl 56
4099  - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/40/Suppl_56/P914.short
4100  - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/40/Suppl_56/P914.full
SO  - Eur Respir J2012 Sep 01; 40
AB  - Background: The nocturnal pulse oximetry is used as a validated screening method in the diagnostic approach of Sleep Apnea Syndrome (SAS).Aim: To assess the role of nocturnal pulse oximetry as a screening method in subjects with morbid obesity (BMI>40 kg/m2), knowing that the basal nocturnal saturation is lower in this patients due to hypoventilation in supine position during sleep.Method: 87 obese (BMI>40 kg/m2) patients with high pre-test clinical suspicion of SAS (Epworth sleepiness scale >10, snoring, witnessed apneas) were prospectively evaluated by respiratory polygraphy (pulse oximetry, nasal airflow, thoraco-abdominal movements, body position and snoring). We assessed the correlation between the values of Desaturation Index (DI) and Apneea Hypopnea Index (AHI). The cut-off for independent desaturation was 3%.Results: 82 patients (94.2%) were diagnosed with SAS (AHI>5/hour); mean age: 53.1 ± 11.5 years (range 28-79 years); mean BMI: 45.07±5.1 kg/m2 (range 40-68 kg/m2). The mean DI was 45±26.4 / hour and the mean AHI: 44.2±26.1 / hour. Mean lowest SaO2 was 67.8±13% and mean average SaO2 was 87.9±7.1%. There was a significant correlation between DI and AHI (p<0.001). Also, DI was correlated with lowest SaO2 (p<0.001) and average SaO2 (p=0.02).Conclusion: Desaturation Index assessed by nocturnal oximetry maintains its utility in the recognition of SAS in morbid obese patients with high clinical pre-test suspicion.