A comparison between the AASM 2012 and 2007 definitions for detecting hypopnea

Purpose To compare the apnea–hypopnea indices (AHIs) derived using three hypopnea definitions published by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) and to determine the impact of the new modifications of the definition on AHIs and the diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Methods The study comprised 100 consecutive patients who were investigated for OSA using overnight diagnostic polysomnography (PSG). The hypopneas were scored in three passes by two certified sleep technologists; in the first pass, the hypopneas were scored using the 2007 AASM “Alternative” ( H Alt ) criteria. In the second pass, the hypopneas were scored using the 2007 AASM “Recommended” ( H Rec ) criteria. In the third pass, the hypopneas were scored according to the new AASM “2012” ( H 2012 ) criteria. Agreement analysis of the results obtained using the three scoring criteria was performed using the Bland–Altman plot methodology. Results The studied group had a mean age of 45.5 ± 12.6 years and a body mass index of 30.2 ± 5.8 kg/m 2 . Using the H 2012 , H Rec and H Alt criteria, the AHIs were 37.9 ± 27.6, 14.8 ± 22.4 and 29.6 ± 27.0/h, respectively ( p