Utility of split-night polysomnography in the diagnosis of upper airway resistance syndrome.

PURPOSE: Split-night polysomnography can both establish the diagnosis and titrate continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) during a single study in patients with sleep-disordered breathing. We sought to determine if split-night polysomnography could be effectively used in upper airway resistance syndrome (UARS) without diminishing diagnostic accuracy or success of CPAP titration.

METHODS

Consecutive patients diagnosed with UARS were included. Split-night studies were performed in patients meeting predefined criteria. We compared data between those undergoing traditional and split-night polysomnography.

RESULTS

We included 100 consecutive patients (41.2 +/- 7.4 years, 54% men). Forty-six underwent split-night polysomnography. Groups were similar at baseline. There were no differences in polysomnography or success rate of CPAP titration. Among those not undergoing split-night studies, the mean time between diagnostic polysomnography and CPAP titration was 71.9 +/- 49.0 days.

CONCLUSIONS

Split-night polysomnography can be effectively utilized to diagnose UARS and initiate CPAP therapy. This practice can reduce the number of studies needed and obviate the inherent delay in initiating CPAP therapy.