PORTABLE RECORDING IN THE ASSESSMENT OF OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP-APNEA

The objective assessment of patients with a presumptive diagnosis of o bstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has primarily used attended polysomnograp hic study. Recent technologic advances and issues of availability, con venience and cost have led to a rapid increase in the use of portable recording devices. However, limited scientific information has been pu blished regarding the evaluation of the efficacy, accuracy, validity, utility, cost effectiveness and limitations of this portable equipment . Attaining a clear assessment of the role of portable devices is comp licated by the multiplicity of recording systems and the variability o f clinical settings in which they have been analyzed. This paper revie ws the current knowledge base regarding portable recording in the asse ssment of OSA, including technical considerations, validation studies, potenial advantages and disadvantages, issues of safety, current clin ical usage and areas most in need of further study.