Table 2

Diagnostic sleep study findings in Steroid User and Steroid Naïve groups with comparison

TotalGroup
median
(IQR)
Steroid Users
median
(IQR)
Steroid Naïve
median
(IQR)
IntermediateSteroid User
median
(IQR)
Difference between
Steroid Users and Steroid Naïve
(p value)
N299812
Age NIV started (years)14.66 (2.35, 10.47–17.96)14.33 (2.95, 12.04–17.63)14.64 (2.34, 10.47– 17.08)14.76 (1.73, 11.02–17.96)0.77
Total AHI8.2 (12.8, 1.8–137)9.8 (3.8, 4.8–38.5)5.9 (13.4, 1.8–22.5)6.3 (16.5, 2.1–137)0.21
AHI REM26.7 (32.5, 2.5–117.6)31.2 (22.4, 16.2–117.6)21.1 (35, 2.5–78.5)25.0 (41.4, 4.8–68.8)0.25
Total central AHI3.1 (5.8, 3.2 0–38.3)2.5 (6.1, 0–38.3)1.7 (8.4, 0–16.3)4.2 (6.3, 0.4–12.7)0.66
Central AHI REM7.1 (20.7, 0–116.4)7.1 (19.4, 0–116.4)5.9 (23.4, 0–44.7)8.2 (29.2, 1.2–54.6)0.57
Central AHI NREM0.9 (1.5, 0–14)0.4 (1, 0–14)0.8 (1.1, 0–7.5)1.4 (1.5, 0–7.7)0.66
Total obstructive AHI2 (6.1, 0–30.3)4.8 (7.8, 0.3–30.3)1.3 (5.0, 0–21.5)0.9 (6.9, 0–21.3)0.25
Obstructive AHI REM2.7 (22, 0–117.6)15.6 (24, 0–117.6)2.6 (19.1, 0–75)0.9 (13.7, 0–64.6)0.31
Maximum TcCO2 (mm Hg)51.8 (8.7, 43.6–78.2)49 (5, 43.6–78.2)56.0 (3.70, 48.8–63.4)50.4 (10.5, 44.6–66.9)0.03*
Maximum REM TcCO2 (mm Hg)51.8 (9.30, 43.6–78.2)47.7 (6.30, 43.6–78.2)56.0 (3.70, 48.8–63.4)50.2 (10.6, 44.6–66.9)0.02*
Minimum SpO2 (%)81 (13, 50–92)76 (15, 59–86)84 (19.5, 50–91)83 (13, 50–92)0.25
Minimum SpO2 REM (%)81 (13, 50–94)76 (15, 59–86)84 (19.5, 50–91)84 (20, 50–91)0.25
Respiratory arousal index0.87 (0.99, 0.12–16)0.28 (0.7, 0.12–1.2)0.90 (7.31, 0.22–16)1.09 (2.15, 0.29–6.51)0.14
Total arousal index4.54 (4.72, 0.43–13.47)5.75 (2.14, 1.4–6.77)3.45 (4.24, 0.64–7.62)5.07 (5.11, 0.43–13.47)0.86
  • AHI, apnoea– hypopnoea index; IV, non-invasive ventilation; NREM, non-rapid eye movement sleep; REM, rapid eye movement sleep; SpO2, oxygen saturation level; TcCO2, transcutaneous carbon dioxide level.