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Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.

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Sleep apnea other diagnostic studies

Introduction

Overview

Overview

Other tests for sleep apnea include EEG, EMG, EOG, ECG, a nasal airflow sensor, and a snore microphone.

Sleep Apnea Other Diagnostic Tests

Sleep Apnea Other Diagnostic Tests

A clinical practice guideline by the American College of Physicians[1] and the American Academy of Sleep Medicine[2][3] address diagnosis.

Other tests

  • EEG (electroencephalogram) to measure and record brain wave activity
  • EMG (electromyogram) to record muscle activity to determine REM stage sleep
  • EOG (electro-oculogram) to record eye movements to determine REM stage sleep
  • ECG (electrocardiogram) to record heart rate and rhythm.
  • Nasal airflow sensor to record airflow
  • Snore microphone to record snoring activity

Home respiratory polygraphy

Home respiratory polygraphy (HRP) or called home sleep apnea testing (HSAT), can be classified into:

  • Level 2 (L2), which include airflow, EEG, EOG, EMG, ECG/HR, effort SaO2
  • Level 3 (L3), which include airflow, thoracoabdominal bands, body position, electrocardiography, and oxygen saturation
  • Level 4 (L4), which added oxygen saturation and maybe heart rate

Randomized controlled trials have compared the impact of using versus portable monitors that can be used at home:

  • Corral found no significant difference.[4].
  • Chai-Coetzer found no difference using L3 channels but inconclusive results with L4 monitoring (which just included oximetry and heart rate)[5].
  • Whitelaw found no significant difference.[6]
References

References

  1. ↑ Qaseem A, Dallas P, Owens DK, Starkey M, Holty JE, Shekelle P; et al. (2014). “Diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea in adults: a clinical practice guideline from theAmerican College of Physicians”. Ann Intern Med. 161 (3): 210–20. doi:10.7326/M12-3187. PMID 25089864.
  2. ↑ Kapur VK, Auckley DH, Chowdhuri S, Kuhlmann DC, Mehra R, Ramar K; et al. (2017). “Clinical Practice Guideline for Diagnostic Testing for Adult Obstructive Sleep Apnea: An American Academy of Sleep Medicine Clinical Practice Guideline”. J Clin Sleep Med. 13 (3): 479–504. doi:10.5664/jcsm.6506. PMC 5337595. PMID 28162150.
  3. ↑ Mokhlesi B, Cifu AS (2017). “Diagnostic Testing for Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Adults”. JAMA. 318 (20): 2035–2036. doi:10.1001/jama.2017.16722. PMID 29183053.
  4. ↑ Corral J, Sánchez-Quiroga MÁ, Carmona-Bernal C, Sánchez-Armengol Á, de la Torre AS, Durán-Cantolla J; et al. (2017). “Conventional Polysomnography Is Not Necessary for the Management of Most Patients with Suspected Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Noninferiority, Randomized Controlled Trial”. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 196 (9): 1181–1190. doi:10.1164/rccm.201612-2497OC. PMID 28636405.
  5. ↑ Chai-Coetzer CL, Antic NA, Hamilton GS, McArdle N, Wong K, Yee BJ; et al. (2017). “Physician Decision Making and Clinical Outcomes With Laboratory Polysomnography or Limited-Channel Sleep Studies for Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Randomized Trial”. Ann Intern Med. 166 (5): 332–340. doi:10.7326/M16-1301. PMID 28114683.
  6. ↑ Whitelaw WA, Brant RF, Flemons WW (2005). “Clinical usefulness of home oximetry compared with polysomnography for assessment of sleep apnea”. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 171 (2): 188–93. doi:10.1164/rccm.200310-1360OC. PMID 15486338. Review in: ACP J Club. 2005 Jul-Aug;143(1):21

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Saarah T. Alkhairy, M.D.