WatchPAT versus Polysomnography: A Meta‐analysis

Abstract

Objectives:Recognize the correlation between WatchPAT and Polysomnography (PSG) results including the apnea‐hypopnea index (AHI), respiratory disturbance index (RDI), and oxygen desaturation index (ODI).Methods:A systematic literature review was performed by searching Pubmed, OVID Medline, and the Cochrane database for articles from June 2000 comparing WatchPAT to PSG. Meta‐analysis of continuous measures using the fixed effect model was performed.Results:Twelve studies that directly compared the results of AHI, RDI, and ODI between WatchPAT and PSG were identified. Five of the 12 studies, involving a total of 476 patients, measured AHI. WatchPAT AHI was not found to be significantly different from PSG AHI (standardized mean difference [SMD], 0.10; 95% confidence interval [CI], –0.08 to 0.28). RDI values, obtained from 5 studies with a total of 612 patients, did not significantly differ between WatchPAT and PSG (SMD, 0.08; 95% CI, –0.07 to 0.24). No significant difference was found between WatchPAT ODI and PSG ODI values from 2 studies with a total of 298 patients (SMD, 0.11; 95% CI, –0.12 to 0.34).Conclusions:The respiratory indices provided by WatchPAT are comparable to those obtained by PSG. This meta‐analysis reinforces the validation of WatchPAT as an alternative to PSG in the diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). With WatchPAT, patients can be evaluated in their own habitual environment rather than in a sleep lab. Therefore, the use of WatchPAT provides a less stress‐inducing option for patients and a more financially efficient method for the evaluation of OSA.