Comparison of the WatchPAT device with Polysomnography and Home Limited Sleep Studies for the Diagnosis of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea.

<bold>RATIONALE:</bold> Polysomnography (PSG) is the gold standard for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) diagnosis, but is resource intensive and poorly tolerated. Home sleep apnoea testing (HSAT) is recommended for the diagnosis of OSA in high-risk adults. WatchPAT (WP) is a wrist-based device which utilises peripheral arterial signal, heart rate, oximetry & actinography for OSA diagnosis. WatchPAT has been compared to PSG, but to date, it has not been compared to HSAT. <bold>Methods:</bold> Patients referred for OSA diagnostics were recruited. Our first cohort had simultaneous WP and PSG assessment, followed by a second cohort with simultaneous home HSAT (Type 3 study) & WP assessment performed. <bold>Results:</bold> Nineteen simultaneous WP and PSG assessments were carried out. The average age (±SD) was 49years ±14years & 8 (42%) of the population were female. There was excellent correlation between PSG and WP; AHI, RDI and ODI (0.9, 0.8, 0.9, p<0.001 respectively.) Thirty-eight further patients proceeded to simultaneous HSAT & WP. The average age (±SD) was 50years ±12 years & 13 (34%) of the population were female. Thirty-six WP studies were diagnostic & 38 HSAT. The correlation between LSS & WP AHI, RDI and ODI is 0.81, 0.80 and 0.74, p<0.001 respectively. <bold>CONCLUSION:</bold> There is an excellent correlation between home sleep apnea testing and WatchPAT, as well as polysomnography and WatchPAT for the assessment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea. WatchPAT is an unobtrusive device, that is less labor intensive than traditional Limited Sleep Studies and is acceptable to patients.