title: [Nocturnal desaturation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease].
abstract: Chronic obstructive pulmonary (COPD) patients with mild-moderate daytime hypoxia or normoxia (PaO2 > 60 mmHg) may also have transient oxygen desaturation during sleep. Revisiting literature, the authors consider various features of this condition: the prevalence, causes, diagnostic procedures, symptoms, predisposing factors, consequences and therapy. The conclusion is that isolated nocturnal oxygen desaturation in COPD patients is a pathologic condition not yet sufficiently cleared; it likely represents an intermediate step in the evolution of COPD to overt respiratory failure. Since negative outcomes are possible, nocturnal oxygen desaturation must be early put in evidence and then treated with suitable drugs, correct dietetic regimen, respiratory physiotherapy and nocturnal oxygen-therapy.
authors.affiliation: Centro Universitario Broncopneumopatie Emergenti, Ospedale Forlanini, Università La Sapienza, Roma. bsposat@tin.it
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sposato
authors.forename: Loredana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mazzei
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: De Angelis
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000097:blood; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D010092:Oximetry; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D010102:Oxygen Inhalation Therapy; D010108:Oxyhemoglobins / Q000378:metabolism; D017286:Polysomnography; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology*; D051381:Rats; D012138:Respiratory Therapy; D012307:Risk Factors; D012891:Sleep Apnea Syndromes / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D012895:Sleep, REM
chemical_list: D010108:Oxyhemoglobins; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D010100:Oxygen