RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 The role of desaturation index evaluated by nocturnal pulse oximetry in recognition of sleep apnea syndrome in patients with morbid obesity
JF European Respiratory Journal
JO Eur Respir J
FD European Respiratory Society
SP P914
VO 40
IS Suppl 56
A1 Dumitrache-Rujinski, Stefan
A1 Calcaianu, George
A1 Zaharia, Dragos
A1 Croitoru, Alina
A1 Bogdan, Miron
YR 2012
UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/40/Suppl_56/P914.abstract
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.