A new research study compared laboratory-based test Polysomnography, know as PSG (complete set of channels), to home study type testing, or HST (limited channels). The research revealed

  • A 7-channel HST including airflow, effort, body position, and oxygen saturation that is manually-scored is comparable to in lab testing
  • A 2-channel HST that is auto-scored is inferior

The study titled “Physician Decision Making and Clinical Outcomes With Laboratory Polysomnography or Limited-Channel Sleep Studies for Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Randomized Trial” was just published in the Annals of Internal Medicine. The trial was conducted in 406 patients suspected to have OSA. The research compared outcomes of each patient set using the Function Outcomes of Sleep Questionnaire (FOSQ), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), Sleep Apnea Symptoms Questionnaire (SASQ) and CPAP compliance. There was no significant difference in all outcomes measurements between patients tested with a multi-channel manually-scored test and those tested with a full PSG.  However, the study acknowledged there was less improvement in sleep apnea symptoms and lower CPAP compliance with the minimal channel HST compared to PSG.

The increasing awareness of sleep apnea has also increased the demand for diagnostic sleep services. However, many patients resist due to the cost of an in-lab evaluation or even just sleeping in strange clinics while the cost of such an evaluation can discourage others. Physicians and their patients do have an option with comparable outcomes; a 7-channel home sleep test with manual scoring. It could even be seen as advantageous in being less expensive and less time-consuming.

Millennium Sleep Lab is one of the few diagnostic services that provides all 7 channels of data mentioned as well as manually-scoring the test. Contact Us for more information on ordering or receiving a sleep test.