Understanding Sleep Study

[Centennial2]

Hey, we all make mistakes or have temporary lapses, just shows that you are not AI, but a real person.

One of the data points I think maybe obscured in this sleep study is the number of hypopneas or the Hypopnea Index- or am just not reading it correctly?

While hypopneas are not to be disregarded, they seen to be somewhat less serious than a complete absence of breathing. So among those 134 events how many are very serious and how many are less so?

[BoxcarPete]

Ask for the full chart if there is one with that test, it should show the positions of every event and what kind of event it was. The doc in that video went over several, and it should help you make that differentiation yourself.

[Centennial2]

Here are the other charts from the sleep study. I still don't see any distinction between obstructive apneas and hypopneas.
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[Expat31]

You are right, pretty shocking.

I have no idea under what professional standards the test was carried out under, unless included in the first page, but I doubt it.

Normally a properly structured sleep study should have a note at the bottom with wording something like "prepared under the criteria AASM 2017, or under a similar suitably approved professional medical body. 

Footnote: AASM relates to (I think) relates to "American Association of Sleep Medicine".

[Centennial2]

@Expat:
The only reference to AASM or other professional standard appears in this paragraph. There was no identification of the model of device used:
 [img][/img]

Reading that carefully, it makes no mention of measuring airflow, so it would be quite difficult to determine a > 30% reduction in airflow for ten seconds (AASM criterion).

[Expat31]

Thanks for that.

I have quite a lot of general commentary on this, but will take me some time to put it ctogether in a carefully thought-out way.

My source information is in French, but under AASM standards, and I think crystal clear. I will get the key elements in English.

I have my family coming to stay from tomorrow for a few day's over Christmas, and it's going to be hectic with my two "tearaway" young grandsons who latch onto me.

Will report back soonest afterwards.

A final note, a happy Christmas to everyone at this wonderful Apnea Board.

[Expat31]

I had a bit of time available before festivities.

This is what I have....

Hi, your Watchpat test is only based on 3 sensors, which explains a lot. 

The sensors are, microphone affixed to your chest to detect snoring, a nose sensor to detect flow, and a pulse oximeter to detect oxygen saturation/desaturation. There is no chest band with sensors*.

In no way shape or form can your Watchpat home test can be compared with a full-on Polysomnography, (comprised a myriad of sensors) carried out in an overnight stay in hospital or a lab  as in the doctor's video presentation.

The Watchpad test does not show the breakdown of the AHI between hypopnea, obstructive apnea, and central apnea, and also no breakdown of results between supine, prone, right and left, (You have a nice string of zeros in your report!)

Read here  [DME Link Removed] Search "watchpat test parameters" to see details of their claims. 

*Normally positional results are picked up but a band across your chest' that has the necessary sensors to do this. This band also picks up breathing efforts that you asked about. Watchpat does not have this

I think you asked about what the p in pAHI means. I think it stands for “portable”, but not sure. You may want to research this, but I don't think it is important.

A general remark on home sleep studies, it all depends on the equipment involved. I had a super home study with a Nox T3. - Lots of data.

What this gives is closer to full-on Polysomnography, but without brain sensors, leg movement sensors, eye sensors (for detecting REM sleep), and finally video surveillance.

I don't know if you have posted any graphs up to now, but it may be useful if you can.

I expect you have already seen the level of help available on this forum.

Post in this format:-
1.Events
2.Flow rate
3.Pressure
4.Leak rate
5.Flow limitations

- Minus the calendar and pie graph
- Full night's view, no zooms at this stage.

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[PeaceLoveAndPizza]

FYI, pAHI is peripheral arterial tonometry apnoea-hypopnoea index, aka WatchPAT or similar PAT device. As Expat31 said, not typically as accurate as an in-lab study, but a good general indicator and you get to sleep at home.