ANALYSIS OF ABBREVIATED DIURNAL POLYSOMNOGRAPHIC RECORDS FOR THE DIAGNOSIS OF OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP-APNEA SYNDROME

Objective. To demonstrate the validity of diurnal polysomnography for the diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). Methods. Twe nty-five patients with suspect of OSAS were studied with two serial po lysomnographic recordings: one during nightime-nocturnal polysomnograp hy (NPLS) and then a second polysomnographic study during the followin g morning (DPLS). In both recordings the Sensor Medic Polysomnograph 4 250 was used. The certainty OSAS diagnosis was considered when an apne a-hypopnea index (AHI) greater than or equal to 10 in the nocturnal re cording was obtained. The statistical study was performed with the R-S igma Horus SA software and sensitivity and specificity values followin g formulas next indicated. Results. The male/female ratio was 72%/28%. All patients were snorers and 64% had diurnal hypersomnia. Fourteen o ut of the 25 patients were true positive, five true negative, five fal se negative and one false positive patients. The specificity and sensi tivity of DPLS were 83% and 73%, respectively, with a positive predict ive value of 93% and a negative predictive value of 50%, Conclusions. Abbreviated diurnal polysomnographic recordings, performed with conven tional polysomnography, have a good sensitivity and specificity for th e diagnosis of OSAS, Given the possibility of false negative results i n DPLS, a NPLS should be performed in the patient with presumed OSAS a nd negative diurnal polysomnographic study.