Interpretation of EncoreViewer 2.0 Reports

[MikeL]

Hello all. I've been on CPAP for several years. I've just got a new machine, the Philips Respironics System One RemStar Auto A-Flex. I purchased the EncoreViewer 2.0 software and have downloaded the data from the machine's SD card. The EncoreViewer software does not offer any explanation of the data report; can anyone point me to an explanation/interpretation of the meaning of the various data sets in the report? Thanks, Mike.

[dlg_az]

I just started CPAP therapy a week ago and had the same question you did. I dug through the web and this forum and found all my answers. I have a document I put together with basic descriptions for what each of the terms mean. Note that I am still working on it, but it's a start. If you want to PM me I can send you what I've gathered so far. But do also use the search feature in this forum; there's a lot of great info here. Google is also your best friend

[Pugsy]

There is a glossary of all the terms in the Help section of the software along with definitions.

[dlg_az]

There is a glossary of all the terms in the Help section of the software along with definitions.

What a dork I am. Never occurred to me to look for a Help button; the interface is so simplistic I was on auto-pilot running it. Sheesh. Still, it was worth looking up more detailed explanations, so my time wasn't totally wasted [trying to make myself feel less of a dork].

[Janknitz]

I have a data tutorial on my blog here: http://maskarrayed.wordpress.com/2010/0 ... -tutorial/

[dlg_az]

I have a data tutorial on my blog here: http://maskarrayed.wordpress.com/2010/0 ... -tutorial/

How on earth did I miss that?! I was on your blog earlier today reading your Swift FX Fitting Guide. Thanks for the link!

[MikeL]

Thanks all. I'll do some reading!

[MikeL]

Thanks again everyone for the pointers. I now know what the various terms mean, but I would now like some indication of what "good" and "bad" values are for each of the parameters (AHI, vibratory snore, etc.). I can't find anything by searching this site or Google. Do any of the experienced folks here have any info?

[dlg_az]

Thanks again everyone for the pointers. I now know what the various terms mean, but I would now like some indication of what "good" and "bad" values are for each of the parameters (AHI, vibratory snore, etc.).

Mike, got your PM and sent a PM back but its sitting in my Outbox; not sure why it hasn't gone out yet. Nonetheless, please PM me your email address so I can send the doc to you per your request.

[Pugsy]

Mike, got your PM and sent a PM back but its sitting in my Outbox; not sure why it hasn't gone out yet.

PMs will stay in the Outbox till the receiver opens the message and reads it. Then it moves to the Sent box. As long as you see it in the Outbox it has not been read yet. Normal functions for this forum messaging system.

I now know what the various terms mean, but I would now like some indication of what "good" and "bad" values are for each of the parameters (AHI, vibratory snore, etc.).

I was wondering when you would be asking this question...
There are some generally accepted "good" numbers. It might ease your mind more if you posted one of your nightly detailed reports for specific comments or thoughts.

Leak line average number itself will vary from person to person because each mask has its own vent rate which is normal or intentional leak. Also varies depending on pressure used. Higher pressures give higher vent rates. There should be a graph with vent rates in your mask paperwork. If lost, some one here probably has it.
Main thing with leak is look for a consistent straight line with minimal large spikes. It is rare to have perfect straight line so don't worry if it is not perfect. You just don't want to see large number of large and/or lengthy leak spikes.

AHI numbers... generally accepted "good enough" is an AHI of less than 5. Though some people do notice that they may feel noticeably better if that AHI is less than 3...Others less than 1..
I personally look for clusters or little groupings of events. I have found that a couple of clusters with AHI of say 4 generally means that I don't feel as good as when I might have AHI of 3 but they were all at random and single events during the night. Any combination of apneas, hyponeas & CA indexes can be included in that "less than 5 AHI".

VS numbers? Unless they appear to coincide with large groups of events I don't worry so much about them. Some may be real snores and some could me hose movement noise. The machine can't always tell the difference. Now if bed partner is reporting lots of snores more detective work is in order,

PB Periodic Breathing...Some instances of PB can be seen in everyone. Some nights I have a couple of short episodes and other nights none. I haven't ever seen a stat anywhere that gives us a definitive number to be concerned about.

[dlg_az]

PMs will stay in the Outbox till the receiver opens the message and reads it. Then it moves to the Sent box. As long as you see it in the Outbox it has not been read yet. Normal functions for this forum messaging system.

Ah! Thanks for letting me know. Thought I missed some setting somewhere.

[MikeL]

Thanks Pugsy. I've uploaded the file here: https://files.me.com/mikelouw1/w6elxl

@dlg_az: I've replied to your PM. Thanks.

[Pugsy]

I looked at your reports.

APAP seems to be all over the place with pressure. It will try to respond to snores IF the snores are accompanied by something that looks like apnea event trigger. That may explain some of the pressure variations. Leaks are acceptable. PB I would not worry about either.

Some questions... How are you feeling? How did you come up with the pressure ranges that are showing?

What are your goals? Do the pressure variations bug you? What were you using before this new machine in way of pressure?

I could offer what I would do if those were my reports but I think that it is best for people to understand their own reports so they can judge for themselves what change might be an option.

Overall AHI is quite good. My main concern would be the snores and the wide variations in pressure.
By any chance do you know if your OSA was markedly worse on your back or in REM sleep?

[MikeL]

I looked at your reports.

Some questions... How are you feeling? How did you come up with the pressure ranges that are showing?
What are your goals? Do the pressure variations bug you? What were you using before this new machine in way of pressure?
I could offer what I would do if those were my reports but I think that it is best for people to understand their own reports so they can judge for themselves what change might be an option.
Overall AHI is quite good. My main concern would be the snores and the wide variations in pressure.
By any chance do you know if your OSA was markedly worse on your back or in REM sleep?

Thanks Pugsy. I feel fine! I sleep well. I never sleep on my back, and can't remember at what stage of sleep my OSA was worse. I'm not terribly worried, just interested in how to optimize my therapy.I'd appreciate it if you'd tell me what you'd do if this were your report.

[MikeL]

Forgot to say: the pressure range of 4 to 16 was originally prescribed by my physician, who has since moved to greener pastures so I can't ask him why! I had the same pressures with the old machine, which was a Remstar M series.