'Mild' sleep apnea with high RDI index

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
newxgate
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'Mild' sleep apnea with high RDI index

Post by newxgate » Fri Feb 29, 2008 2:58 pm

I had a sleep study done a while back and was diagnosed with 'severe sleep apnea'. However on reading the detailed results of the study it appears that I do not have severe sleep apnea in the way that the insurance company defines it (> 10 AHI index). Consequently there may be problems with their paying for CPAP.

Sleep study results :

AHI : 6 per hour
RDI : 69 per hour
Respiratory effort related arousals (RERA) per hour : 64

Average oxygen saturation is 95%.


According to what I have read, my AHI is mild and the oxygen saturation levels are just about normal. As I understand it the RERA's are any respiratory event that interrupts sleep. Since there are 'only' 6 apneas or hypopneas per hour, what are the other 58 or so respiratory events that are happening? Has anyone seen results like this ?

I am going to see a sleep specialist to follow up (so far I have just seen my primary care physician) but any input would be greatly appreciated.


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kteague
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RERA and RDI

Post by kteague » Sun Mar 02, 2008 12:07 pm

Your results are very close to a friend of mine. Bumping it back up to see if any response.
Kathy

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ozij
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Post by ozij » Sun Mar 02, 2008 1:02 pm

I believe RERA is Respiratory Effort Related Arousals.

The effort is in response to obstructions that don't cause bad desaturations, but are bothersome enough for your brain to arouse you from sleep.

O.

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Snoozy Q
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Post by Snoozy Q » Sun Mar 02, 2008 5:24 pm

I thought that the scale of mild to moderate to severe sleep apnea is calibrated in terms of the AHI figure, i.e., if you fall into "severe" that means your AHI is over a certain number. Maybe I'm wrong.

There are conditions like UARS (upper airway resistance syndrome) that can disrupt sleep but may not show up as apneas or hyponeas. I don't know anything about this other than it exists, but if you know the acronymn, you may be able to search this board or elsewhere for more info. In any event. when you see your specialist, make sure you get an answer on what those non-apnea, non-hypopnea RERAs were, and what can be done about them.

Also, if you have concerns about insurance coverage based on AHI number but the doc is recommending CPAP and is willing to sign off on a diagnosis of "severe sleep apnea" talk with him or someone in his office knowledgeable about insurance coverage. Perhaps they can supply documentation that your ins. co. will accept. Let us know how that part of it goes. There's people on this board who have had experience fighting with insurance companies who may have some helpful suggestions if you are in that situation.


Snoozy Q
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Post by Snoozy Q » Sun Mar 02, 2008 5:33 pm

One other thing I might add (or ask) - are you sure your insurance coverage requires a "severe" AHI index in order to pay for CPAP?
I think it is not uncommon for insurance companies to pay for CPAP if you have a "mild" number with other documented symptoms.