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Patient discomfort in polysomnography with esophageal pressure measurements

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Abstract

The reference method for measuring respiratory effort and for differentiating between obstructive and central apneas in the diagnosis of sleep-related breathing disorders is overnight monitoring of esophageal pressure. Despite this being the reference method, it is not widely used because it is considered invasive and uncomfortable for the patients. The aim of this study was to assess patient discomfort and insertion difficulty when using an esophageal catheter during polysomnography. We have performed a prospective questionnaire-based clinical study in 799 consecutive patients where polysomnography with an esophageal catheter was routinely performed in the diagnosis of sleep-related breathing disorders. The main outcome measures were the catheter-related discomfort experienced by the patient and difficulty of catheter insertion reported by the sleep technician. Ninety-six percent of the patients accepted the insertion of the catheter, and most of the patients considered it acceptable to sleep with the catheter. Correspondingly, in most of the patients, the catheter was easily inserted, and there were difficulties in only a few patients. Specifically, no complications or side effects were reported when using the catheter. To optimize the diagnosis of sleep-related breathing disorders, an esophageal sensor catheter can be used during polysomnography, without causing major patient discomfort.

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Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank I.W.S. Mair for assistance with the final version of the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. SRBD Unit of the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Ullevaal University Hospital, Oslo, Norway

    Britt Oeverland, Harriet Akre, Kari J. Kvaerner & Olav Skatvedt

  2. The Sleep Clinic Omnia, Frederik Stangs gt. 11-13, 0264, Oslo, Norway

    Britt Oeverland, Harriet Akre, Kari J. Kvaerner & Olav Skatvedt

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  1. Britt Oeverland
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  2. Harriet Akre
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  3. Kari J. Kvaerner
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  4. Olav Skatvedt
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Correspondence to Britt Oeverland.

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Oeverland, B., Akre, H., Kvaerner, K.J. et al. Patient discomfort in polysomnography with esophageal pressure measurements. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 262, 241–245 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-004-0792-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-004-0792-2

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