Snoring assessment: do home studies and hospital studies give different results?

We have developed a device (Clan Clwyd Snore Box) suitable for the objectiv e measurement of the loudness and duration of snoring. The device is simple for the patient to operate, portable, battery powered, and able to produce objective results. We have used the Snore Box to record the snoring at hom e and during sleep studies in the hospital. Twenty-nine patients were studi ed. Overall the Snore Index recorded in the home was greater than in the ho spital (P < 0.001), the average difference being 67 snores/h. We conclude t hat snoring is more appropriately assessed at home than in the hospital. We suggest the deficit arises from sleeping in an unfamiliar environment and the presence of several wires connecting the patient to the recording monit or which interfere with natural sleep in the hospital setting.