Diagnostic accuracy of nocturnal oximetry for detection of sleep apnea syndrome in stroke rehabilitation.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Sleep apnea syndrome (SAS) is a common sleep disorder in stroke patients and is associated with decreased recovery and increased risk of recurrent stroke and mortality. The standard diagnostic test for SAS is poly(somno)graphy, but this is often not feasible in stroke rehabilitation settings. This study investigated the diagnostic value of nocturnal oximetry for screening SAS in stroke rehabilitation. METHODS Fifty-six stroke patients underwent nocturnal polygraphy and oximetry. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values for the oxygen desaturation index were calculated. Patient and sleep characteristics were used to develop a predictive model of apnea-hypopnea index. RESULTS Forty-six percent of the stroke patients had SAS. The majority of SAS patients was male, older, and had a higher body mass index than patients without SAS. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values for the oxygen desaturation index ≥15 were, respectively, 77%, 100%, 100%, and 83%. Oxygen desaturation index predicted 87% of the variance in the apnea-hypopnea index. Patient characteristics did not add significantly to the prediction model. CONCLUSIONS Nocturnal oximetry is an accurate diagnostic screening instrument for the detection of SAS in stroke patients.