SCREENING FOR SLEEP-APNEA - CLINICAL USE OF MESAM IV(R) AND APNOE-CHECK(R)

With the introduction of nasal continuous positive airway pressure as an effective treatment of the sleep apnea syndrome, the demand for cos tly polysomnographic investigations has markedly increased. Hence a re liable screening method would be desirable. Patients undergoing overni ght oxymetry were simultaneously examined by MESAM (n = 54) and by Apn oe-Check (n = 23) in a prospective manner. The results were compared a mong themselves and with the complete overnight polysomnography (MESAM n = 38, Apnoe-Check n = 20). Simple overnight oxymetry, automatically assessed oxymetry by MESAM and apnea identification by Apnoe-Check co rrelated well with the polysomnographic findings. On the other hand, v ariation of heart rate, snoring events and changes of body position as identified by MESAM did not add relevant information. Only the detect ion of moderate to severe sleep apnea syndrome was satisfactory, thoug h not infallible. Thus, there is still no screening method available t o identify or exclude sleep apnea syndrome, particularly the milder fo rm, which is nevertheless a significant disease.