HOW IS THE SEVERITY OF OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA MEASURED?
The number of significant obstructive events that occur per hour measures the severity of obstructive sleep apnea. The events are reported as the apnea/hypopnea index (AHI). Symptoms usually are more frequent and intense as the AHI increases. Essentially all insurance companies use the AHI to indicate the presence of obstructive sleep apnea and rate its severity. Medical studies have confirmed that the long-term complications associated with obstructive sleep apnea do increase as the number of events per hour increases. The higher the AHI measured during a sleep test, the greater the risk of medical complications. It has been demonstrated that an AHI of less than five has no long-term risk. However, an AHI of greater than thirty predicts a very high risk of developing problems. Obstructive sleep apnea is rated: AHI of five to fourteen – mild, AHI of fifteen to thirty – moderate, and AHI of greater than thirty – severe. Other sleep test measurements also influence the reviewing physicia
