| Sumario: | BACKGROUND: The effect of nail polish on pulse oximetry measurements in non-hypoxic subjects has been studied extensively. Some studies found that nail polish decreased pulse-oximetry (Spo) values, whereas others found no effects from nail polish. OBJECTIVE: To determine if nail polish affects Spo, measurements in mildly hypoxic subjects. METHODS: At high altitude, 5 investigators, whose mean oxygen saturation was 91.3% (mild hypoxia), and with 2 brands of pulse oximeter and oximetry probe, obtained Spo, measurements from a finger with nail polish and from the matching finger on the opposite hand without nail polish. We tested 9 different nail-polish colors and made 210 pairs of Spo, measurements. RESULTS: The mean ± SD Spo, values from the fingers with and without nail polish, respectively, were 91.4 ± 4.1% and 91.2 ± 3.5% (difference 0.2 ± 3.2%,95% confidence interval -0.2% to 0.4%). CONCLUSIONS: With the pulse oximeters and oximetry probes we tested, nail-polish had no significant effect on Spo, in mildly hypoxic healthy subjects.
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