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) | |
| N | 29 | 9 | 8 | 12 | |
| 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 AHI | 8.2 (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 REM | 26.7 (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 AHI | 3.1 (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 REM | 7.1 (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 NREM | 0.9 (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 AHI | 2 (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 REM | 2.7 (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 index | 0.87 (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 index | 4.54 (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.