EVALUATION OF THE HEALTHDYNE NIGHTWATCH SYSTEM TO TITRATE CPAP IN THEHOME

Although a number of devices have been developed to monitor sleep and breathing in the home, there are few publications on methodologies by which CPAP can be titrated in the home setting. This study was conduct ed to determine the outcome of CPAP titration in the home using the He althdyne NightWatch (NW) system. This home sleep-evaluation system was used to diagnose sleep apnea in 30 patients using a previously descri bed methodology. These patients subsequently underwent CPAP titration in the home using the NW system, with modem technology allowing the tr ansfer of data from the home to the laboratory. This group was compare d with 30 patients who were diagnosed with sleep apnea using standard in-lab polysomnography and had CPAP titrated on a full night in the la boratory. Both groups were subsequently placed on CPAP at the appropri ate pressure for 6-8 weeks, after which a full in-lab study was comple ted to assess CPAP efficacy at the prescribed pressure. Compliance was also determined using a pressure-activated monitor. No differences in any variable assessed could be found between the two groups. Mean com pliance was 4.6+0.5 (SEM) and 4.3+0.5 hours of CPAP use per night for the home and in-lab groups respectively. Mean AHIs on the follow-up st udy were 7.4+1.2 and 7.6+1.6 events per hour for the home versus in-la b groups. Sleep stage distribution was also quite comparable between g roups. As a result, this study suggests that sleep apnea can be diagno sed and CPAP titrated in the home with a similar outcome, at least at 6 to 8 weeks, to standard in-laboratory testing.