Study objectives: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) diagnosis relies on the Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI), with discrepancies arising from the 3% and 4% desaturation criteria. This study investigates age-related variations in OSA severity classification, utilizing data from 1201 adult patients undergoing Home Sleep Apnea Testing (HSAT) with SleepImage Ring@.
Methods: The study employs Bland-Altman analysis to compare AHI values obtained with the 3% and 4% desaturation criteria. Age-stratified analysis explores discrepancies across different age groups.
Results: The analysis reveals a systematic bias favoring the 3% criterion, impacting the quantification of apnea events. Age-specific patterns demonstrate diminishing agreement between criteria with increasing age.
Conclusion: This comprehensive study underscores the importance of standardized criteria in OSA diagnosis. The findings emphasize age-specific considerations and ethical concerns, providing crucial insights for optimizing patient care and advancing sleep medicine practices.
Keywords: Apnea/hypopnea index; Desaturation; Diagnostic criteria; Hypopnea; Sleep apnea.
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