Diagnostic value of respiratory polygraphy in patients with low probability of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

Abstract Introduction and objective Polysomnography (PSG) is the gold standard technic for the diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). It is an expensive, complex and not always available technic, meaning that respiratory polygraphy (RP) has become usual. Although RP is not validated in low probability patients, Spanish guidelines recommend conservative treatment in patients with negative RP. We intended to study the prevalence and severity of OSAS through PSG in a sample of patients with low probability and negative RP. Material and methods Retrospective, observational, descriptive and analytic study of low probability OSAS patients with negative RP in whom a PSG was performed. Anthropometric, clinical and sleep data were collected. Results Eighty-two patients were included. After PSG, a greater number of hypopneas (137.8 ± 70.1 vs. 51.2 ± 38.4 [ p p Conclusion According with the results of this study, RP significantly underestimates the prevalence and severity of OSAS in low probability patients. While it is necessary to adequately stratify the OSAS probability in order to correctly indicate diagnosis tests, we recommend performing a PSG in low probability patients with negative RP.