RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Ambulatory investigation of sleep-disordered breathing
JF Breathe
JO breathe
FD European Respiratory Society
SP 106
OP 112
DO 10.1183/20734735.0011911
VO 8
IS 2
A1 B.D. Kent
A1 W.T. McNicholas
YR 2011
UL http://breathe.ersjournals.com/content/8/2/106.abstract
AB Educational aims To outline the importance of improved diagnosis of sleep-disordered breathing and the need for ambulatory monitoring. To discuss the currently available options for home monitoring and the recommendations for their use, as well as novel modalities. To outline the issues surrounding patient selection and the need for further study. Summary Obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) is under-diagnosed, and attended in-patient sleep studies are resource intensive and inconvenient for the patient; therefore, there is increasing interest in the ambulatory diagnosis of OSAS. Full unattended polysomnography does not confer any advantage over more limited measurements. Ambulatory diagnosis of OSAS with cardiorespiratory polygraphy is suitable for use in patients with a high pre-test probability. Ambulatory monitoring by oximetry or ECG are not recommended by current guidelines, but a number of novel diagnostic modalities show some promise. Further studies are needed to address issues of cost-effectiveness, patient selection and device performance.