Cardiorespiratory polygraphy diagnostic accuracy in mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS)

Abstract

The gold standard in OSAHS diagnosis is nocturnal polysomnography (PSG). Nowadays is allowed to use cardiorespiratory polygraphy (PCR) in patients with a high pretest probability of OSAHS. PCR have some limitations that may underestimate AHI: impossibility to score total sleep time, respiratory effort related to arousal and hypopneas related to arousal without oxygen desaturation. To evaluate cardiorespiratory poligraphy (PCR) diagnostic accuracy in patients with mild to moderate OSAHS. We evaluated 96 patients with an AHI < 30 determined by PCR and compared the results of PCR with conventional polysomnography (PSG). We studied 96 patients (69% male 30% female) with a mean age 52 ± 12.5 years, mean body mass index (BMI) 27.7 ± 3.6, mean Epworth sleepiness scale 7.54 ± 4.8 and mean AHI in PCR 11.6 ± 7.8. PCR showed 26% of patients with an AHI in the normal range, 39.6% with mild OSAHS and 34.4% with moderate OSAHS. When we compared the results of PCR with PSG we observed statistical differences in the AHI (19.2 ± 14.9 & 11.6 ± 7.8) and RDI (22.1 ± 14.8 & 11.6 ± 7.8) compute. The AHI and RDI mean difference was 7.6 ± 12.0 and 10.4 ± 12.1 respectively. When we obtained normal results with PCR we observed a 76% (IAH) or 48% (RDI) of mild to moderate OSAHS when we compared with PSG. When we obtained mild OSAHS with PCR we observed 42.1%(IAH) or 47% (RDI) moderate and 15.7%(IAH) or 21% (RDI) severe OSAHS when we compare with the PSG. When we obtained moderate OSAHS with PCR we observe in 21.2% (IAH) or 18% (RDI) mild and 42.5% (IAH) or 51% (RDI) severe OSAHS when we compare with the PSG. Up to 50% mild to moderate OSAHS patients diagnosed by PCR could be classified as severe with PSG. Thnaks to Dr. G. Sampol and Dra, P. Lloberes for they contribution in this work.