Ambulatory nocturnal oximetry and sleep questionnaire-based findings in 38patients with end-stage renal disease

Background. Patients with end-stage renal diseases (ESRD) have an increased risk of sleep-disordered breathing. With regard to this disorder, controve rsy persists about prevalence, cost-effective assessment and socio-economic al relevance. Methods. Therefore, we performed, for the first time, overnight ambulatory oximetry in combination with a sleep questionnaire in 38 unselected patient s with ESRD and 37 healthy controls. An oxygen desaturation index (ODI)> 15 , defined as >15 falls in oxygen saturation of greater than or equal to 4% per h, was observed more frequently in ESRD patients than in healthy contro ls (47 vs 3%, P<0.001). Results. In general, the results derived from the assessment of the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) as well as those from the visual analogue scale (VA S) did not reflect the ODI values of the respective patient population. Int erestingly, 88% of ESRD patients with the questionnaire finding 'excessivel y loud snoring' had an ODI of >15 as compared with 13% without this complai nt (P<0.05). Furthermore, 77% of ESRD patients with a systolic blood pressu re > 140 mmHg and a body mass index (BMI) >25, had an ODI of > 15. The perc entage of ESRD patients with a professional activity was higher in the abse nce of sleep-disordered breathing (63 vs. 21%, P<0.05). Conclusion. 'Excessively loud snoring' and a BMI >25 combined with hyperten sion are risk factors for sleep-disordered breathing in ESRD patients. Noct urnal oxygen desaturations are assessed efficiently by ambulatory oximetry and correlate with relevant biological and socio-economical parameters in E SRD patients.