0470 Factors Associated with Discordant Initial Home Sleep Apnea Testing and Polysomnography

Abstract

Abstract Introduction Nocturnal polysomnography (PSG) is the gold standard for diagnosing obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Home sleep apnea tests (HSAT) have been incorporated in the diagnostic algorithm in patients with a high pre-test suspicion of OSA. While many studies have compared HSATs with PSGs, it is not well understood what factors may be responsible for inconclusive HSAT results. Methods We performed a retrospective chart review of adult patients who underwent a non-diagnostic HSAT evaluation, who subsequently tested positive for OSA (on PSG) between 1/1/2022 and 11/1/2022. We collected demographic and sleep study data. Patients who did not have a follow up PSG were excluded. Results A total of 20 patients were reviewed. 80% had a negative HSAT with a positive subsequent PSG. The average age was 33.9 years (SD +/- 11.3 years). 43% were male and 50% were Caucasian. The average BMI was 29 kg/m2 (SD +/- 5.3 kg/m2). The average Epworth Sleepiness Scale score (ESS) was 8 (median 6.5) with only 31% reporting an ESS >10. The average HSAT recording time was 449.1 minutes. The average respiratory disturbance index (RDI) on the follow up PSG was 17.7 events/hour of sleep (SD +/- 12). Only 1 patient was diagnosed with severe OSA. 38% were diagnosed with anxiety in this cohort. Other co-morbidities were insignificant. Of all the HSATs performed, 40% were denied for an initial PSG evaluation and converted to an HSAT evaluation. Conclusion HSATs are validated in patients with a high pretest probability of OSA. Anxiety was found in one third of patients included (possibly contributing to a negative initial HSAT). Patient demographics however were also not remarkable for a high risk of OSA in this group (e.g. non-obese, < 55 years, female). The subsequent diagnosis for OSA was also only mild or moderate (93.8%) in this lower risk cohort. Hence, another explanation for the initial negative HSAT evaluation may have been the insurance denial of the initial PSG request (40%). Denials of low risk patients for PSG may contribute to a misuse of resources. We also need to educate referring physicians to follow appropriate HSAT ordering criteria (based on high OSA risk factors). Support (if any)