RDI

Medical abbreviation · Respiratory

RDI
Stands forRespiratory disturbance index
CategoriesMedical

RDI stands for Respiratory disturbance index, a respiratory abbreviation.

Number of apneas, hypopneas and respiratory effort-related arousals per hour of sleep, a broader measure than the apnea-hypopnea index that captures subtler airway narrowing. It can be elevated in symptomatic patients whose AHI looks normal.

Example: AHI 4 but RDI 19 due to frequent RERAs; sleepiness consistent with upper airway resistance.

Usage notes

Respiratory effort-related arousals (RERAs) are sequences of increasing breathing effort ending in arousal without meeting apnea or hypopnea criteria. Some home sleep test devices use "RDI" for events per hour of recording time, which differs from the in-lab definition, so reports should state the method. Upper airway resistance syndrome is diagnosed largely by RDI.

More respiratory abbreviations

  • Pplat – Plateau pressure
  • PRVC – Pressure-regulated volume control
  • PSG – Polysomnography
  • PSV – Pressure support ventilation
  • PTX – Pneumothorax
  • RAD – Reactive airway disease
  • RDS – Respiratory distress syndrome
  • RLL – Right lower lobe
  • RML – Right middle lobe
  • RSBI – Rapid shallow breathing index
  • RUL – Right upper lobe
  • RV – Residual volume

See all 109 respiratory abbreviations →

Edited by the AbbreviationList.com team. Spotted an error or a missing meaning? Contact us.

This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.