Out of Center Sleep Testing in Ostensibly Healthy Middle Aged to Older Adults

Out of Center Sleep Testing (OCST) is used increasingly to diagnose obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). However, there are few data using OCST that quantify the amount of intrinsic apneic and hypopneic events among asymptomatic healthy persons, especially those who are elderly. This analysis reports the results of OCST in a small group of ostensibly healthy asymptomatic individuals.

The study population was comprised of ostensibly healthy middle-aged to elderly volunteers for studies of circadian physiology. Before undergoing an OCST, they were found to be free of any chronic medical or psychiatry condition by history, physical and psychologic examination and by a variety of questionnaires and laboratory tests.

There were 24 subjects ranging in age from 55-70 years who had an OCST performed. Repeat studies were required in only 3 subjects. Over half the study population was over the age of 60 years (54.2% vs 45.8%); the majority were men (70.8%). The mean apnea hypopnea index (AHI) was 9.2 /hour with no difference between younger and older subjects. However, 11 had an AHI ≥ 5 /hour. Five had an AHI ≥15 /hour and 2 had an AHI ≥40 /hour. Those with an AHI <15 /hour had a mean AHI of 4.4 /hour (95% CI:2.8-6.0 /hour).

Although OCST has a low failure rate, there is a high prevalence of intrinsic obstructive apnea and hypopnea in ostensibly healthy asymptomatic persons.