Apneas, hypopneas, and respiratory effort-related arousals: moving closer to a standard.

The spectrum of sleep disordered breathing ranges from intermittent snoring to the obesity hypoventilation syndrome with the obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome fitting somewhere in between. Recently, improved definitions and monitoring techniques are allowing for clearer differentiation of the syndromes within this spectrum. These new standards have also produced better understanding of the prognosis and treatment options for patients fitting into different points within this spectrum. Furthermore, effective communication of current definitions and techniques has resulted in improved reimbursement for the treatments of patients with sleep disordered breathing. Copyright 2002 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc.