polysomnografisch

Polysomnografisch is the Dutch adjective meaning relating to polysomnography, a comprehensive sleep study used to diagnose sleep disorders and study sleep architecture. Polysomnography (PSG) records multiple physiological signals during sleep to provide a detailed picture of nocturnal brain activity and bodily functions.

A standard polysomnographic recording includes brain activity (electroencephalography, EEG), eye movements (electro-oculography, EOG), and muscle tone (submental electromyography, EMG). Additional sensors commonly monitor heart activity (ECG), respiratory effort (belts around chest and abdomen), nasal/oral airflow, oxygen saturation, body position, snoring, and limb movements. In some settings, video monitoring is added to document behaviors during sleep.

Recordings are usually performed overnight in a sleep laboratory, but portable or home polysomnography with a subset of sensors may be used for specific indications. The data are interpreted by a clinician who scores sleep stages using standardized criteria (such as AASM or Rechtschaffen and Kales) and derives measures including total sleep time, sleep efficiency, wake after sleep onset, and sleep onset REM latency. Respiratory events are counted to calculate indices like the apnea-hypopnea index, while limb movements are evaluated to diagnose periodic limb movement disorders.

Polysomnografisch observations underpin the evaluation of a range of sleep disorders, including obstructive and central sleep apnea, narcolepsy, REM sleep behavior disorder, parasomnias, restless legs syndrome, and circadian rhythm disorders. Limitations include potential artifacts, the artificial sleep environment, and the first-night effect; results are integrated with clinical history and other tests.