Saudi Med J
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To assess the prevalence of spirometric abnormalities in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients and its clinical utility in diagnosing OSA. ⋯ Saw-tooth sign was present in 12.3% and the ratio of FEF(50)/FIF(50) >1 was found in 26.1% of OSA patients. Obstructive sleep apnea patients who had these abnormalities did not differ from patients who did not have them with regard to age, body mass index, apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), desaturation index and other spirometric indices. The presence of saw-tooth sign and FEF(50)/FIF(50) >1 was not related to the severity of AHI CONCLUSION: Spirometric abnormalities are not common in OSA patients not known to have underlying chronic lung diseases. Saw-tooth sign and FEF(50)/FIF(50) >1 are not useful in predicting OSA.