[Diagnosis] Help to Interpret AHI (Significant Rise)

[mmazza]

Hello Everyone,

I've attached a screenshot of my results. 

Seeking help in interpreting my results.  Last night, my AHI score was at 16.6 (Periodic Breathing 12.44%).  My scores have been well above 5.0 over the past week.  I have been using the Phillips DreamStation since August 2017 with AHI scores generally under 5.  I started off with a ResMed AirFit N20 Nose Mask but switched over to the Phillips DreamWare (under the nose) in September 2019.  

Been waking up feeling fatigued and groggy of late.  How concerned should I be with these recent results?

Thanking you in advance.

mmazza

[Sleeprider]

You are using a Dreamstation Auto CPAP at pressure of 7.0 to 18.0 with Flex off. I think we will write off your most recent night as an anomaly with very poor results, but your last week of therapy also shows a relatively high aver AHI with a mixture of apnea, predominated by hypopnea. Your event rates have been increasing since you started using the machine and are now at marginal efficacy levels, approaching an average of 5 AHI for the last month. The decline of efficacy appears to correspond to an increase in pressure which is a bit unusual.

I think we should take a look at some daily details before drawing firm conclusions, but in your case, while the increase in OA and H events would normally have us consider an increase in pressure, I would be inclined to try just the opposite, mainly because of the number of central events we see. If you want to try a pressure range of 6.0-10.0 for a night or two, that should tell us something about the direction we might want to take.