Comparison of Sleep Parameter according to Apnea-Hypopnea Index

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common type of sleep apnea and is caused by obstruction of the upper airway. It is characterized by repetitive pauses in breathing during sleep despite the effort to breathe. Apnea is closely related to clinical findings and respiratory disturbance index (RDI). The total subjects were 42 (male 26, female 16) and examined by polysomography (PSG) in terms of RDI above 5 and below 5 at Mok-Dong Hospital in Ewha Womans University from January to June, 2012. The study revealed the followings: The comparison of clinical findings and RDI above 5 showed significant increase in age, BMI, and snoring sound although lowest $SpO_2$ level decreased. The correlation coefficient analysis between clinical findings and RDI showed statistically significant correlation in age, BMI, lowest $SpO_2$ although snoring sound and average $SpO_2$ showed statistically insignificant correlation.