Home sleep studies

Abstract

Home sleep studies have evolved beyond home oximetry to a polysomnogram only marginally different from that found in a sleep laboratory. They are now a well accepted way of investigating sleep apnoea and comprise up to 30% of all Medicare-funded sleep studies in Australia. For a home sleep study to be effective, a number of important elements must be in place, including the input of the referring doctor, the correct use of the equipment by the patient, a skilful technician and accurate scoring of the raw data. Interpretation of a sleep study by a sleep physician with the clinical and demographic information and recommendation of appropriate management is also essential. Although home sleep studies allow more patients to be assessed and treated, particularly those in country areas, if any element is deficient the outcome may be suboptimal.