Obstructive sleep apnea‐related intermittent hypoxaemia is associated with impaired vigilance

Abstract

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)-related intermittent hypoxaemia is a potential risk factor for different OSA comorbidities, for example cardiovascular disease. However, conflicting results are found as to whether intermittent hypoxaemia is associated with impaired vigilance. Therefore, we aimed to investigate how desaturation characteris-

Reaction time in psychomotor vigilance task is related to hypoxic load in males with sleep apnea

“…Therefore, to capture the variations in the baseline SpO 2 values, it could be beneficial to calculate desaturation metrics using the 100% SpO 2 level as a reference. To support this, we also observed in our recent study that the area between 100% reference and SpO 2 curve better explains the consequences of OSA (Pahari et al, 2022). Additionally, a recent study introduced a novel hypoxic metric (respiratory event desaturation transient area) calculated from a 100% reference level of the SpO 2 curve and showed that it predicted the cardiovascular consequences of OSA (de Chazal et al, 2021).…”

“…The result of this study revealed the OSA severity as measured by the AHI, is not significantly different between patients with unimpaired and impaired vigilance (Table 1). Previous studies have also demonstrated that the AHI has a poor correlation with PVT outcomes while the severity of hypoxaemia is correlated with worse PVT performance (Batool‐Anwar et al, 2014; Kainulainen et al, 2019, 2020; Lee, 2010; Pahari et al, 2022). Similarly, we observed that hypoxia time (T 90 ) and the increased severity of hypoxaemia were associated with impaired daytime vigilance (Figures 4 and 5).…”

“…These findings reflect the importance of additional clinical metrics of OSA severity better associated with symptomatology. Therefore, considering hypoxaemia‐related parameters in the diagnosis of OSA might enable a more representative estimation of OSA severity beyond conventional metrics (Batool‐Anwar et al, 2014; Pahari et al, 2022; Randerath et al, 2018).…”

“…Thus, several studies have challenged the value of the conventional metric as a universal expression for OSA severity (Muraja‐Murro et al, 2012; Pevernagie et al, 2020; Randerath et al, 2018). In contrast, recent studies have shown that detailed characterisation of the oxygen saturation (SpO 2 ) signal can better describe the severity and consequences of OSA (Kainulainen et al, 2019; Kulkas et al, 2013a; Kulkas, Tiihonen, Julkunen, et al, 2013; Pahari et al, 2022). Additionally, desaturation severity has been shown to have a stronger association with PVT outcomes and daytime sleepiness than the AHI (Kainulainen et al, 2019, 2020; Pahari et al, 2022).…”

“…In contrast, recent studies have shown that detailed characterisation of the oxygen saturation (SpO 2 ) signal can better describe the severity and consequences of OSA (Kainulainen et al, 2019; Kulkas et al, 2013a; Kulkas, Tiihonen, Julkunen, et al, 2013; Pahari et al, 2022). Additionally, desaturation severity has been shown to have a stronger association with PVT outcomes and daytime sleepiness than the AHI (Kainulainen et al, 2019, 2020; Pahari et al, 2022). Thus, a more detailed characterisation of OSA severity and SpO 2 signal characteristics could be beneficial also to mitigate the neurobehavioural consequences of OSA.…”