What does this indicate
This is a ResMed ApneaLink home sleep test report for Tariq Ahmad Peerzada (DOB: 11-06-1976, BMI 28.7). Here is a plain-language breakdown of what it shows:
Risk Indicator: "Suspected Pathological Breathing Disorder" (Score: 21)
The device places the result firmly in the red zone - well above the normal range.
Key Findings
Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI): 20 events/hour
- Normal is < 5/hour
- AHI of 20 = Moderate Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)
- Mild OSA: 5-14
- Moderate OSA: 15-29 ← this patient falls here
- Severe OSA: ≥ 30
Respiratory Disturbance Index (RDI): 21.2/hour
- Also elevated, confirming significant sleep-disordered breathing
Type of Apneas (44 total apneas + 70 hypopneas):
| Type | Count | % |
|---|---|---|
| Obstructive (airway blockage) | 36 | 82% |
| Central (brain signal failure) | 6 | 14% |
| Mixed | 2 | 5% |
The dominant pattern is obstructive - the airway is physically collapsing repeatedly during sleep.
Oxygen Saturation - Most Concerning Finding:
- Average saturation: 90% (borderline low; normal ≥ 95%)
- Lowest saturation: 81% (significantly low)
- Saturation ≤ 90% for 220 minutes (60% of the night)
- This means the patient spent the majority of the night with dangerously low oxygen levels
Oxygen Desaturation Index (ODI): 8.9/hour
- 55 total desaturation events recorded
What This Means Clinically
- Moderate OSA is confirmed, predominantly obstructive in nature
- Prolonged nocturnal hypoxemia (low oxygen for 60% of the night) increases risk for:
- Hypertension (the report already flags Essential Hypertension - ICD-9 401)
- Cardiovascular disease
- Diabetes worsening (Diabetes Mellitus listed - ICD-9 250.0)
- Daytime sleepiness, cognitive impairment, mood disturbance
- The referral letter (page 4) recommends referral to a sleep specialist for full polysomnography and possible treatment
What Should Happen Next
- See a sleep specialist / pulmonologist - this home screening test is not a full diagnostic sleep study but it clearly justifies one
- CPAP therapy is the first-line treatment for moderate OSA and would be expected to be recommended
- Weight management (BMI 28.7 is overweight), positional therapy, and treatment of contributing conditions (hypertension, diabetes) are also important
Important: This is a screening report, not a final diagnosis. A formal in-lab or home polysomnography ordered by a physician is needed to confirm severity and guide treatment. Please share this report with a doctor promptly given the significant oxygen dip to 81%.
Create a summary document explaining this report for a family member
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Sleep Study Summary Tariq
Word Document · DOCX
The Word document includes:
- Colour-coded title block with patient name and test date
- Plain-language explanation of what the ApneaLink test is
- Risk indicator bar showing Tariq's score (21) in the moderate-red zone
- AHI table showing normal vs mild vs moderate vs severe, with Tariq's position highlighted
- Oxygen levels table - the most urgent findings (81% low, 60% of night below 90%)
- Types of apneas broken down (82% obstructive)
- Why this matters - risks of leaving it untreated
- What happens next - sleep specialist referral, CPAP, lifestyle steps
- Summary box in plain simple language a non-medical family member can read
- Disclaimer at the bottom clarifying it is a screening test
The document uses red/orange/green colour coding so the severity is immediately obvious to someone with no medical background.
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