Health
At-home sleep apnea test may be effective
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Oct. 4, 2004
Sending patients home with a test for sleep apnea could be an effective alternative to the night in a sleep lab usually recommended for diagnosing the disorder, according to a study presented at the American Academy of Otolaryngology -- Head and Neck Surgery annual meeting in New York last month.
Researchers evaluated 59 patients spending a night in a sleep lab with both the SNAP portable home sleep test and the usual polysomnography. The tests correlated fairly closely. Researchers suggest that this testing modality could increase access by lowering cost, decreasing inconvenience and reducing wait times for a sleep lab bed. It would particularly increase access to those who do not live near a testing facility.
Awareness of sleep apnea has increased lately, and 9% to 24% of the population is believed to have it. The disorder is blamed for a twofold increase in traffic accidents as well as an increased risk for hypertension, heart problems and stroke.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2004/10/04/hlbf1004.htm.
