What is considered a normal apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) score?

A normal apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) score is defined as an AHI of less than 5 events per hour. This means that individuals with such a score experience fewer than 5 combined episodes of apnea (pauses in breathing) and hypopnea (shallow or restricted breathing) within a single hour of sleep. An AHI score in this range indicates that a person is unlikely to have obstructive sleep apnea or other significant sleep-related breathing disorders.

Higher AHI scores, such as those found in the other options, indicate increasing severity of sleep apnea, with scores of 10 or more often suggesting that further evaluation and potential treatment may be necessary. The standard reference values for AHI help healthcare professionals assess the severity of a patient's condition and guide appropriate management.