Oxygen saturation regularity analysis in the diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea

Abstract

Objective: The present study assessed the validity of approximate entropy (ApEn) analysis of arterial oxygen saturation (SaO(2)) data obtained from pulse oximetric recordings as a diagnostic test for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in patients clinically suspected of suffering this disease.

Methodology: A sample of 187 referred outpatients, clinically suspected of having OSA, was studied using nocturnal pulse oximetric recording performed simultaneously with complete polysomnography. ApEn analysis was applied to SaO(2) data.

Results: Patients with OSA presented significantly higher approximate entropy levels than those without OSA (1.08+/-0.30 versus 0.47+/-0.26). Apnea-hypopnea index was correlated significantly with ApEn (r=0.607; p<0.001). Using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, we obtained a diagnostic sensitivity of 88.3% and specificity of 82.9%, positive predictive value of 88.3% and a negative predictive value of 82.9%, at a threshold of 0.679. As a diagnostic test, this method presents high sensitivity and specificity compared to traditional methods in the diagnosis of OSA.

Conclusion: We conclude that ApEn analysis of SaO(2) data obtained from pulse oximetric recordings could be useful as a diagnostic technique for OSA subjects.