Simple testing for obstructive sleep apnoea.

*Additional Professor, **Professor and Head, Department of Pulmonary Medicine, T. N. Medical College, B.Y.L. Nair Hospital, Mumbai, 400008 Received: 27.01.2012; Revised: 28.05.2012; Accepted: 25.05.2012 A 36 years old lady, presented with history of loud snoring, excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), nocturnal choking, nocturia, non refreshing sleep and memory lapses for last 7 years. Along with routine spirometry her tidal breath recording (Figure 1) with spirometer (Medgraphics) was performed with the mouth piece held in place while she slept (Figure 2). What diagnosis does the recording suggest? T h e t i d a l v o l u m e r e c o r d i n g shows episodic pauses in breathing characteristic of apnoea/hypopnoea seen in Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). She underwent limited polysomnography (PSG) which showed an apneahypopnea index of 70/ hour and was diagnosed as a case of severe OSA. OSA is characterized by repetitive pauses in breathing during sleep, despite the effort to breathe, and is usually associated with reduction in blood oxygen saturat ion. Common s igns of OSA inc lude unexpla ined EDS, restless sleep or nocturnal choking, and loud snoring. Other symptoms such as Simple Testing for Obstructive Sleep Apnoea