[Diagnosis] Sleep Study Report: Lowest Desaturation vs Lowest Saturation

[blueelement2016]

Hi,

First, thanks for this great forum. I have been reading many posts and learned so much over the past couple weeks.

I received my home sleep study data report today. I think it is the default printout from the ResMed ApneaLink. It is branded ResMed in the upper right of the page.

I am confused about this section:

ODI Oxygen Desaturation Index: 15.1 (normal <5/h)
Average saturation: 95 (normal 94-98%)
Lowest desaturation: 84 (normal column is blank)
Lowest saturation: 71 (normal 90%-98%)
Baseline Saturation: 98%

Can anyone help me understand this information?

I am really confused as to the difference between "lowest desaturation" and "lowest saturation."

The above data means my blood oxygen level reached a low point of 71% is that correct? I am not sure what the 84% means.

Also if anyone knows of a thread or link that has more detailed information about each of the ResMed ApneaLink results categories I would definitely be interested in reading it. However this was my most burning question and the one I wanted to start with.

Thank you!

[Beej]

This is in PubMed, so should be somewhat reliable:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4246141/

I tried using Google for the phrase "lowest desaturation" and found a number of references, some in medical speak and some in English. Give it a try.

The normal range seems to be 95-100%.

[trish6hundred]

Hi blueelement2016,
WELCOME! to the forum.!
Hang in there for more answers to your questions, good luck to you with your CPAP therapy.

[chill]

I have never seen the term "lowest saturation", I have no idea what that is. The rest appears to say that you have 15.1 desaturation events per hour, with a low of 84% and an average over the night of 95% (normal). 84% is not incredibly bad, but it is not healthy either.

[blueelement2016]

Thank you all!