The role of oxygen saturation measurement and body mass index in distinguishing between non-apnoeic snorers and patients with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the role of oxygen saturation (SaO2) measurement in identifying apnoeic snorers from non-apnoeic snorers and in the assessment of the severity of obstructive sleep apnoea. Ninety-two patients with clinically suspected obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) were assessed, using overnight polysomnography. The patients were classified as follows: 14 patients were non-apnoeic snorers, 27 patients had mild OSAS, 31 patients had moderate OSAS and 20 patients had severe OSAS. Minimum SaO2 level, mean SaO2, time below 85% of SaO2, the ratio between the time SaO2 and total sleep time and body mass index (BMI) were assessed retrospectively. There was a statistically significant difference between the non-apnoeic group and OSAS patients in Min SaO2 (P = 0.03). Patients who had Min SaO2 above 85% could be evaluated as non-apnoeic snorers; however, SaO2 and BMI were not found to be useful in the assessment of the severity of OSAS.