Low AHI/large leak rate..??

[Ockrocket]

My AHI rate is low ( and staying low ), but my mask leak rate has risen over the last few weeks.

In all my time using CPAP my machine has never recorded an event where I have stopped breathing. 

There are times when my mouth is open for short periods, but I am not generally a "mouth breather", so I'm wondering if these open mouth events are being interpreted as mask leaks by the machine. ( when my mouth opens the rush of air wakes me up fairly quickly, usually within a few seconds )

Given that my AHI is low and stable I'm unsure if my Dreamstation is giving a false report of the mask leak rate.

I'm inclined to not do anything to change my current situation at this stage... but I do have to ensure that I stay compliant within the requirements to maintain my professional driving endorsements. 

Has anyone else had a situation of "reportedly" high mask leaks with no detrimental effects on AHI and apnoea treatment? 


AHI average for the last week - 1.11
Average leak - 8.56
Time above leak threshold - 16.67% 

CPAP pressure is 8.0
Mask type is Fisher & Paykel Eson nose mask.

Any feedback would be appreciated. 

[jaswilliams]

Put up a daily screen shot. By default Sleepyhead does not have the right values in it for the Philips machines. The large leak line needs to be moved upwards from the 24 l/m to ma much larger value as the Philips includes intentional leak a suggested large leak threshold for Philips is 70 l/m


Jason

[DeepBreathing]

My understanding is that the machines can't reliably detect and diagnose events when the leak is above the redline. So it's possible you are having apneas but they're not being reported. You're over the redline for 16.67% of the time which would amount to ~1hr 20min in an eight hour night. That's quite a lot.

As always a #SleepyHead daily chart (with close-ups) would help us give more specific advice.

[DeepBreathing]

Good point Jason. I'd forgotten that Philips machines only report the total leak.

[Walla Walla]

I agree with the above about the higher threshold for Dreamstations. As far as mouth vs machine leaks the machine doesn't care. A leak is a leak. Review the Mask Primer below about mouth leaks.

[Ron AKA]

Suggest you post some daily screen shots from SleepyHead. Do some close up detail scans of the times when major leaks are being reported.