sleep

AASM Updates Position on Home Sleep Testing for OSA

The appropriateness of a home sleep apnea test (HSAT) should be determined by a physician, based upon a patient’s medical history and a face-to-face examination by a physician, according to a new position statement from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM).1

While polysomnography is still the standard method for assessing adults presenting with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) symptoms, HSAT can be an alternative for those with uncomplicated symptoms who are at a high risk for OSA.
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The AASM’s new statement outlined the appropriate use of HSAT, and included:

  • The raw data from a HSAT should be assessed by a physician board-certified in sleep medicine or assessment should be overseen by a board-certified specialist.
  • Automatically scored HSAT data should not be the sole basis for diagnosing OSA, assessing treatment efficacy, and making treatment decisions.
  • HSAT should not be used to screen asymptomatic individuals.

“A home sleep apnea test provides valuable information for the diagnostic assessment of certain patients with suspected obstructive sleep apnea,” the authors stated. “However, the test is only one component of a comprehensive sleep evaluation, and it is important for a board-certified sleep medicine physician to be involved in reviewing and interpreting the raw data from the device.”2

—Melissa Weiss

Reference:

1) Rosen IM, Kirsch DB, Chervin RD, et al. Clinical use of a home sleep apnea test: an American Academy of Sleep Medicine position statement. J Clin Sleep Med. 2017;13(10):1205–1207. http://dx.doi.org/10.5664/jcsm.6774.

2) AASM releases position statement on home sleep apnea testing [press release]. Darien, IL: American Academy of Sleep Medicine; October 13, 2017. https://aasm.org/aasm-releases-position-statement-home-sleep-apnea-testing/. Accessed October 16, 2017.