Prospective Study of Nocturnal Desaturation in Patients Receiving Home Oxygen Therapy

Objective Nocturnal desaturation is common in patients with chronic respiratory disease and often worsens the prognosis. Therefore, it should be diagnosed accurately and appropriately treated. The aim of this study was to clarify the diversity of nocturnal desaturation. Methods We prospectively enrolled 58 outpatients diagnosed with chronic respiratory disease receiving home oxygen therapy and measured nocturnal SpO(2) using a portable oximeter. We classified nocturnal desaturation (3% decrease in SpO(2) from baseline) into three patterns: periodic pattern (desaturation duration of <655 seconds), sustained pattern (desaturation duration of >= 655 seconds), and intermittent pattern (desaturation and recovery of SpO(2) repeated with a cycle of several minutes). Results Nocturnal hypoxemia (SpO(2) <= 88% for more than 5 minutes) was found in 23.8% of patients. The percentage of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) was significantly higher in the nocturnal hypoxemia group than in the non-hypoxemia group (80% vs. 40.6%, p=0.03). Desaturation with a periodic pattern was found in 81% of patients, desaturation with a sustained pattern was found in 40.5% of patients, and desaturation with an intermittent pattern was found in 59.5% of patients. In patients with COPD, desaturation with a periodic pattern was found in 85.7%, desaturation with a sustained pattern was found in 47.6%, and desaturation with an intermittent pattern was found in 57.1%. Conclusion The SpO(2) waveform of nocturnal hypoxemia was able to be classified into three patterns. Suitable treatment for each pattern might improve the prognosis of these patients.