Why is monitoring oxygen saturation critical during sleep studies?

Monitoring oxygen saturation is critical during sleep studies primarily to identify hypoxemia, which refers to low levels of oxygen in the blood. This is especially important in the context of various sleep disorders, such as obstructive sleep apnea, where the airway can become blocked during sleep, leading to intermittent decreases in oxygen levels. By tracking oxygen saturation, sleep technicians can determine whether a patient is experiencing significant drops in oxygen during sleep, which can have serious health implications if left untreated.

While measuring sleep duration, evaluating REM sleep, and tracking body movements contribute valuable information about sleep patterns and behaviors, they do not directly indicate the presence of hypoxia. Hypoxemia can have immediate and severe effects on a patient's health, underscoring the importance of oxygen saturation monitoring as an essential component of comprehensive sleep assessments.