In overnight polysomnography evaluation for suspected obstructive sleep apnea, what minimum Apnea-Hypopnea Index in an adult patient with daytime somnolence confirms the diagnosis?
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: B. 5 events per hour
- Step 1: Obstructive sleep apnea is diagnosed based on clinical symptoms combined with objective sleep study findings.
- Step 2: Diagnostic criteria require an Apnea-Hypopnea Index of 5 or more events per hour of sleep in a patient exhibiting symptoms such as daytime sleepiness, loud snoring, or nocturnal gasping.
Answer
5 events per hour.
Why not the others: An AHI of 1 event per hour is well within normal physiological limits. An AHI of 30 events per hour defines severe obstructive sleep apnea rather than the minimum diagnostic threshold. An AHI of 50 indicates extremely severe disease rather than the baseline entry criterion.
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