Feasibility of an acoustic diagnostic device for the diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnoea in patients with intellectual disabilities.

<bold>Background:</bold> Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is prevalent in patients with intellectual disabilities (ID), however conventional sleep studies are often poorly tolerated and these patients remain undiagnosed and untreated. This contributes to further health inequalities in an already neglected and under-researched population (Korb, L. et al. BJPsych Bulletin 2023;47(3):139-145). The AcuPebble^® SA100 is a validated tool for OSA diagnosis (Devani, N. et al. BMJ Open 2021;21;11(12)). Attached over the larynx, it uses acoustic sensing to detect apnoeas/hypopnoeas. We hypothesised that this small and light (7g) acoustic-based home diagnostic device may be used to facilitate diagnosis of OSA in a cohort with ID. <bold>Methods:</bold> We identified patients with ID in a tertiary sleep centre who had not tolerated inpatient/home sleep studies. We used the AcuPebble^® in the patient’s home. Qualitative feedback was also obtained. <bold>Results:</bold> Nine patients were screened, eight patients/carers consented to be studied (3F, 5M). Seven patients (88%) successfully completed testing (recording time ≥ 240 minutes). OSA (AHI ≥5 ev/hr) was diagnosed in five patients (Table 1). All patients preferred the AcuPebble^® to inpatient sleep studies, and found the device comfortable and easy to use. <bold>Conclusion:</bold> In a cohort who have not tolerated conventional diagnostics, a light and acoustic-based home diagnostic device can be used as a less intrusive alernative to diagnose OSA. <table-wrap><object-id>erj;64/suppl_68/PA2709/TB1</object-id><object-id>T1</object-id><object-id>TB1</object-id><table><colgroup><col></col><col></col><col></col><col></col><col></col></colgroup><tbody><tr><td><bold>Participant</bold></td><td><bold>Age (years)</bold></td><td><bold>BMI (kg/m²)</bold></td><td><bold>TST (mins)</bold></td><td><bold>AHI (ev/hr)</bold></td></tr><tr><td>1</td><td>30</td><td>63</td><td>-</td><td>-</td></tr><tr><td>2</td><td>45</td><td>29</td><td>278</td><td>10</td></tr><tr><td>3</td><td>31</td><td>22</td><td>561</td><td>4</td></tr><tr><td>4</td><td>17</td><td>30</td><td>443</td><td>30</td></tr><tr><td>5</td><td>20</td><td>-</td><td>447</td><td>5</td></tr><tr><td>6</td><td>17</td><td>19</td><td>435</td><td>2</td></tr><tr><td>7</td><td>59</td><td>34</td><td>403</td><td>15</td></tr><tr><td>8</td><td>17</td><td>33</td><td>297</td><td>6</td></tr><tr><td>Mean (SD)</td><td>30 (±15)</td><td>33 (±14)</td><td>409 (±97)</td><td>10 (±10)</td></tr></tbody></table></table-wrap>