Citation

Watkins MR, Talmage JB, Thiese MS, Hudson TB, Hegmann KT. J. Occup. Environ. Med. 2009; 51(10): 1145-1150.

Affiliation

Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, TN, USA. marcwatkins@comcast.net

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

10.1097/JOM.0b013e3181b68d52

PMID

19786903

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To compare the accuracy of portable monitoring for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) with polysomnography (PSG) in commercial drivers. METHODS: A consecutive case series of drivers were screened for OSA using recent validated consensus conference criteria at a single occupational medicine clinic; those screening positive were tested with a portable OSA screening device while awaiting PSG. RESULTS: Three hundred forty-six drivers were screened and 34 completed PSG and portable monitoring. Comparing the portable device to PSG at a definition of OSA as an apnea hypopnea index (AHI) >or=15, positive predictive value is 0.64 with a 0.87 negative predictive value. Positive likelihood ratio is 4.20. Linear regression model found statistically significant relationship (P = 0.0004) between the portable device and PSG AHI values. CONCLUSION: Although not perfect, portable monitoring may be useful in further stratifying risk in drivers who have a high probability of having OSA.

Language: en