Can someone interpret my study results?

[RagingGinger96]

I was told I was in the severe range. But it only shows an AHI of 4.7

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[ChicagoGranny]

By its title, the document covers a Titration study. This is when the patient uses the lab's CPAP, and the technician attempts to find machine settings that effectively treat the patient's apnea.

You say you were told your case was in the severe range. Did you have an earlier study that was diagnostic only - no CPAP was used? Or, did you have a split-night study? In a split-night study, the lab first tests you while sleeping without CPAP. Then, for the second part of the night, the lab performs a titration study. It's possible that they wrote the split-night study up as two separate studies.

In any case, during a successful titration study, it would not be unusual to have an AHI less than 5.0 because the breathing condition is being treated with CPAP.

What do you think?

[RagingGinger96]

I had 2 sleep study. One without cpap and one with it. They were about 3 weeks apart.

[ChicagoGranny]

I had 2 sleep study. One without cpap and one with it. They were about 3 weeks apart.

That probably explains things. You had a sleep study without CPAP, and your case was diagnosed as severe. You had a second study which was a titration study, and with the use of CPAP, the lab was able to get your AHI under 5.0.

[Deborah K.]

You can request a copy of your sleep study, and your doctor has to give it to you. That is the document that will show how bad your apnea was before treatment.

[RagingGinger96]

Thanks for the replies. That's why I joined this forum. Obviously I'm new to all this lol

[ChicagoGranny]

You might want to read a bit of this thread near the top of the index page - "Why is it necessary to have a support team?"

[RagingGinger96]

I have attached a picture of my diagnostics study

[ChicagoGranny]

During this study, your AHI was 25.8. This is considered moderate. But, believe me, being awakened by breathing events an average of 25 times per hour is severe in my book! It's good that you were diagnosed and beginning to use CPAP.

So, if you experience from five to 15 apneas and/or hypopneas per hour, your sleep apnea would be considered mild, according to this index. Moderate OSA is considered 15 to 30 apneas and/or hypopneas per hour of sleep, and 30 or more is classified as severe obstructive sleep apnea.