Glycosylated Hemoglobin and the Severity of Sleep Obstructive Apnea

This research revealed a strong relation between apnea- hypopnea index (AHI), average blood oxygen saturation (avSpO2) measured with the pulse oximeter, oxygen desaturation index (ODI) and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients, not previously diagnosed with diabetes. Data from biochemistry, fundamental biology and previous clinical monitoring reports were integrated in interpreting this relation. The analysis concluded that high levels of HbA1c limit the relevance of avSpO2 in evaluating OSA severity. ODI maintains a strong association with AHI in high levels HbA1c group.