Using respiratory polygraphy in diagnosing obstructive sleep apnea - our experiences

Abstract

Bacground/Aim. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) involves repeated episodes of cessation of breathing that occur due to a decrease in pharyngeal muscle tone. This disorder is more common in men and represents a significant risk factor for serious cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events. The gold standard in the diagnosis of this disorder represents a polysomnography (PSG), which is technically a complex and multidisciplinary method. Respiratory polygraphy (RP) may constitute an adequate replacement for most uncomplicated cases of obstructive sleep apnea. The aim of the study was to examine the efficacy of using respiratory polygraphies in diagnosing of obstructive sleep apnea. Me-thods. On all the patients with suspected obstructive sleep apnea, RP and a retrospective analysis of the obtained results were performed. Results. By completing our examination, we proved that there was a positive correlation between the results obtained by using RP and the predictors of obstructive sleep apnea such as the Epworth sleepiness scale (EPWORTH) score, neck circumference and body mass index. Conclusion. Respiratory polygraphy represents a cheaper and simpler replacement for PSG, especially with uncomplicated obstructive breathing disorders during sleep. Key words: sleep apnea syndrome; diagnostic techniques and procedures; respiratory function tests; risk factors.Apstrakt Uvod/Cilj. Opstuktivni poremećaj disanja tokom spavanja podrazumeva ponovljene epizode prestanka disanja koji nastaju zbog smanjenja tonusa mišića faringsa. Ovaj poremećaj češći je kod muškaraca i predstavlja značajan faktor rizika od ozbiljnih kardio-i cerebrovaskularnih događaja. Zlatni standard u postavljanju dijagnoze ovog poremećaja predstavlja polisomnografija (PSSG) koja je tehnički zahtevna i multidisciplinarna metoda. Respiratorna poligrafija (RP) može predstavljati adekvatnu zamenu kod većine nekomplikovanih slučajeva opstruktivne sleep apneae. Cilj rada bio je ispitati efikasnost primene RP u dijagnostikovanju opstuktivnog poremećaja disanja tokom sna. Meto-de. Kod svih ispitanika sa sumnjom na opstuktivni poremećaj disanja tokom sna, učinjena je respiratorna poligrafija i retrospektivna analiza dobijenih rezultata. Rezultati. Učinjenim ispitivanjem dokazali smo da postoji pozitivna korelacija između rezultata dobijenih RP prediktora kao što su Epworth Sleepinness scale (EPWORTA skor), obim vrata, indeks telesne mase. Zaključak. Respiratorna poligrafija predstavlja jeftiniju i jednostavniju zamenu za PSG naročito za nekomplikovane opstruktivne poremećaje disanja tokom sna.Ključne reči: apneja u snu, sindromi; dijagnostičke tehnike i procedure; respiratorna funkcija, testovi; faktori rizika.

An Update on Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome—A Literature Review

“…The cardio-respiratory polygraphy is a type of HSAT. It is an effective exam, with a lower price, which can be used at home to detect patients with OSA [ 23 ]. This tool is as safe as the PSG in what concerns the determination of the presence and the characteristics of the apneas or hypopneas.…”