Disordered breathing and oxygen desaturation during daytime naps.

Ten patients with and ten patients without chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) were monitored for the presence of disordered breathing and oxygen desaturation during daytime naps. Disordered breathing occurred commonly during naps in patients with COPD and often was associated with desaturation. Disordered breathing was also seen in patients without COPD, but desaturation was less frequent and less severe.