What is the AHI (Apnea-Hypopnea Index) recorded after a repeat study for a patient not on CPAP?

The Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) is a key metric used to evaluate the severity of sleep apnea by measuring the number of apneas (complete pauses in breathing) and hypopneas (partial pauses in breathing) that occur per hour of sleep. An AHI of 5 or more is typically used as a threshold to diagnose obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

In the context of a repeat study for a patient not on CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure), an AHI of 5 indicates that the patient experiences some degree of sleep-disordered breathing, but it is generally classified as mild sleep apnea. This level of AHI suggests that while there are occurrences of apnea and hypopnea, they are not severe enough to cause as significant an impact on the patient's health compared to higher AHI values.

Values such as 1 indicate very minimal breathing disturbances that are unlikely to warrant clinical concern. Higher values, like 10 or 15, would indicate moderate to severe sleep apnea, which typically necessitates intervention. Therefore, an AHI of 5 aligns appropriately with the understanding of mild apnea without the influence of treatment, making it the most fitting answer in this scenario.