The aim of this study was to test the efficacy of nocturnal oximetry as a means of continuous recording of SaO2 in the identification of apnoeic events in the recognition of non-apnoeic desaturation. The oscillations of SaO2 in relation to successive periods of apnoea during the course of the sleep apnoea syndrome (SAS) or with apnoeic episodes in patients with chronic airflow obstruction (BPCO) or restricted disease, were identified using a new delta index quantifying the variations of SaO2 during the night. 26 successive patients in whom there was an indication for nocturnal oximetry were included in a prospective study comparing nocturnal oximetry and polysomnography during 34 nights. In the apnoeic patients we found a strong correlation (r = .85. p. less than .01) between the apnoeic period and the delta index. In BPCO the number of apnoea was correlated with the delta index (r = .96. p. less than .01). A minimal threshold of the delta index fixed at 1.5 was satisfactory for detecting apnoea if the initial SaO2 was less than 93%. The value of the adequate for affected detection ought to be fixed at .8 (95% sensitivity) when the initial SaO2 was greater than 93%. A detection of apnoeic events thus seems possible by this method.