A single-center validation of the accuracy of a photoplethysmography-based smartwatch for screening obstructive sleep apnea

Abstract

Background: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), the most common upper-airway disease, is closely associated with the risk of cardiovascular diseases. However, the early screening of OSA is a main challenge, relying on polysomnography (PSG) or home sleep apnea test (HSAT) in hospitals. Photoplethysmography (PPG) has been developed as a novel technology for screening of OSA, while the validation of PPG-based smart devices is limited compared to that for PSG or HSAT devices. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the feasibility and validity of a PPG-based smartwatch in the screening of OSA. Methods: A total of 119 patients were recruited from the Chinese People’s Liberty Army General Hospital (Beijing, China). Among them, 20 patients were assessed for a whole-night sleep study by a smartwatch and PSG simultaneously, as well as 82 cases by a smartwatch and HSAT simultaneously. Using PSG or HSAT as the “gold standard”, we compared the accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value (NPV), positive predictive value (PPV), and positive likelihood ratio (+LR) or negative likelihood ratio (-LR) at three apnea hypopnea index (AHI) levels: AHI≥5, AHI≥15, and AHI≥30. Results: A total of 17/119 patients were excluded from the study due to the poor quality of PPG signals. Among the remaining cases, 83 patients were diagnosed with OSA. Compared to HSAT device, the accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of the PPG-based smartwatch in predicting moderate-to-severe OSA patients (AHI≥15) were 87.9%, 89.7%, and 86.0%, respectively. Compared to PSG device, the accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of the PPG-based smartwatch in predicting OSA in patients (AHI≥5) were 81.1%, 76.5%, and 100%, respectively. Conclusion: The PPG-based smartwatch outperformed in terms of detecting OSA; never-theless, validation in a large-scale population is imperative.