What apnoea-hypopnoea index (AHI) value range defines moderate sleep apnea?

What apnoea-hypopnoea index (AHI) value range defines moderate sleep apnea?

• A. <5 events/hour.
• B. 5-14 events/hour.
• C. 15-29 events/hour.
• D. ≥30 events/hour.

Answer: (C)

AHI classifies sleep apnea severity by counting breathing interruptions per hour of sleep. Moderate sleep apnea corresponds to 15 to 29 events per hour, meaning there are more frequent interruptions than in mild cases but not as severe as those with 30 or more events per hour. An apnea is a pause in breathing, while a hypopnea is a partial reduction in breathing with a drop in oxygen levels; both are included in the AHI tally from a sleep study. Knowing this range helps guide treatment decisions, since moderate cases often warrant interventions like CPAP and closer cardiovascular risk assessment, whereas normal is usually not treated, and mild or severe cases have distinct management considerations.

AHI classifies sleep apnea severity by counting breathing interruptions per hour of sleep. Moderate sleep apnea corresponds to 15 to 29 events per hour, meaning there are more frequent interruptions than in mild cases but not as severe as those with 30 or more events per hour. An apnea is a pause in breathing, while a hypopnea is a partial reduction in breathing with a drop in oxygen levels; both are included in the AHI tally from a sleep study. Knowing this range helps guide treatment decisions, since moderate cases often warrant interventions like CPAP and closer cardiovascular risk assessment, whereas normal is usually not treated, and mild or severe cases have distinct management considerations.