An AHI of 5 in a patient undergoing polysomnography indicates what condition?

An Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) of 5 indicates the presence of mild sleep apnea, as the classification of sleep apnea severity is based on the number of apneas and hypopneas that occur per hour of sleep. The AHI is used to evaluate the severity of sleep-disordered breathing, with specific thresholds defined in clinical practice. An AHI less than 5 is generally considered normal. An AHI of 5 to 14 indicates mild obstructive sleep apnea, while values of 15-29 indicate moderate obstructive sleep apnea, and 30 or more signifies severe obstructive sleep apnea.

Therefore, an AHI of 5 does not classify as normal but rather signals the onset of mild sleep apnea. Understanding the definitions and thresholds related to AHI helps in the accurate diagnosis and management of conditions like sleep apnea.