{
  "abstract": "Introduction Despite a significant growth in the number of diagnostic sleep investigations performed nationally, around 30,000 patients are waiting to be tested with 30% of them waiting >6 weeks. NICE advises home polygraphy as a first-line investigation however this is not mandated. Despite being less sensitive and specific, oximetry is less expensive, easier to use and to analyse. Often the clinical and cost effectiveness of either test will depend on the likelihood of sleep apnoea in the referral population. Home-testing devices have been proposed as alternatives to polygraphy and oximetry to increase capacity and support the reduction in waiting times. 1Methods A prospective service evaluation was conducted at UHCW between October 2025 and January 2026. Adults referred for suspected obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) were assessed through a fully digital, home-based diagnostic pathway (AirConnect Dx), which incorporated electronic referral, remote screening (STOP-Bang, Epworth Sleepiness Scale), two night sleep study with home-testing device1, and digital reporting. The outcome data for those diagnosed with OSA was assessed to identify the additional information provided by the home-testing device when compared to the oximetry data.Results 187 patients undertook screening sleep studies. 129/187 (69%) were diagnosed with OSA (34% female). The demographics, screening questionnaires and sleep study data are summarised in table 1. Overall, patients were obese, sleepy and high risk for OSA. The group demonstrated moderate severity OSA according to either AHI or ODI, with no significant difference between severity score across nights 1 and 2. Oximetry data demonstrated significantly higher OSA severity when compared to AHI. 7% of patients had a normal AHI with abnormal ODI compared to 1.5% for a normal ODI.Conclusions In a high risk population, oximetry is as effective as home-testing devices for the detection of OSA. In addition, a second night study did not significantly alter diagnosis or OSA severity.Reference National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Home-testing devices for diagnosing obstructive sleep apnoea hypopnoea syndrome. HealthTech guidance HTG735. Published 19.12.24Abstract P28 Table 1ParameterBMI (kg/m2)ESSSBAHINight 1ODINight 1AHI SeverityNight 1ODISeverityNight 1AHINight 2ODINight 2AHI SeverityNight 2ODI Severity Night 2n126128126128128128128122122122122Mean32.711.15.0521.926.8*1.491.84$19.325.2*1.3411.71$, 2SD8.725.761.5121.822.50.980.962022.41.021.03ESS = Epworth sleepiness score; SB = Stop Bang; AHI = apnoea hypopnea index; ODI = oxygen desaturation index; Severity score = AHI/ODI <5 normal = 0, 5-15 mild = 1, 16-30 moderate = 2, >30 severe = 3. *AHI versus ODI p<0.001; $AHI versus ODI severity p<0.001; 1AHI night 1 versus AHI night 2 not significant; 2ODI Night 1 versus ODI Night 2 not significant",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "UHCW NHS Trust, Coventry, United Kingdom"
      ],
      "name": "Joanna Shakespeare"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "UHCW NHS Trust, Coventry, United Kingdom"
      ],
      "name": "Trishandeep Matharu"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "UHCW NHS Trust, Coventry, United Kingdom"
      ],
      "name": "Jay Darley"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "UHCW NHS Trust, Coventry, United Kingdom"
      ],
      "name": "Asad Ali"
    }
  ],
  "title": "P28 OSA screening: the return of the oximeter?",
  "uid": "57f4433b-117c-554c-9eb5-8b5f4894e958"
}