Lab sleep study vs at home?

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
User avatar
ArKiTeKt
Posts: 40
Joined: Sat Jan 30, 2016 10:06 am
Location: OKC, OK

Lab sleep study vs at home?

Post by ArKiTeKt » Fri Feb 05, 2016 9:13 am

OK. I had a quick question. My study was at a clinic. Full night hooked to all the wires. They looked at the data and then scheduled another study once they concluded I had it where I was hooked to all the wires again with the addition of the cpap. My mother just got scheduled a split at home study where she'll hook the stuff up. This sounds like just using cpap and then they'll read the info of of it.?. Aren't the studies in the lab much better and more accurate?

User avatar
Stormynights
Posts: 2273
Joined: Wed Mar 10, 2010 7:01 pm
Location: Oklahoma

Re: Lab sleep study vs at home?

Post by Stormynights » Fri Feb 05, 2016 9:56 am

I think there would be advantages to both. The lab would give a more complete test but sleeping at home is more normal.

_________________
Mask: AirFit™ P10 For Her Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Humidifier: S9™ Series H5i™ Heated Humidifier with Climate Control
Additional Comments: Pressure EPAP 5.8 IPAP 9.4-21.8 PS 3.6/16 S9 Vpap Adapt ASV

Cardsfan
Posts: 1509
Joined: Wed Apr 29, 2015 3:02 pm
Location: Close to St. Louis, MO

Re: Lab sleep study vs at home?

Post by Cardsfan » Fri Feb 05, 2016 10:30 am

I had the at home sleep study. I had a finger oxygen monitor, a strap all the way around my chest, and a little nasal plug that measured snoring by a recorder. I doubt it was sophisticated as an in lab study, but it got the job done to conclude I have obstructive apnea.
I did the test for 3 nights, then sent the kit back to my Dr. About a week later, I got the results with a prescription for cpap as 5 for my pressure. Not one thing was done in person.
After 6 months, I found this forum and got myself an official sleep specialist to monitor things.

_________________
Machine: ResMed AirSense™ 10 AutoSet™ CPAP Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier
Mask: AirFit™ P10 For Her Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments:  CPAP 10 cmH20., User since 1/1/15.

User avatar
OkyDoky
Posts: 2870
Joined: Mon Aug 25, 2014 5:18 pm

Re: Lab sleep study vs at home?

Post by OkyDoky » Fri Feb 05, 2016 10:40 am

ArKiTeKt wrote: My mother just got scheduled a split at home study where she'll hook the stuff up. Aren't the studies in the lab much better and more accurate?
Some home studies are better than others but I'm not familiar with which ones are better. In lab studies are able to monitor for RLS and PLMD and I'm not sure if any home tests do this.
You mentioned Split Study. That is usually done in lab where the 1st half is diagnostic and then they put a mask on to titrate pressures. Home studies usually are diagnostic and then you go in lab for titration or use an APAP at home for titration.
ResMed Aircurve 10 VAUTO EPAP 11 IPAP 15 / P10 pillows mask / Sleepyhead Software / Back up & travel machine Respironics 760

User avatar
ArKiTeKt
Posts: 40
Joined: Sat Jan 30, 2016 10:06 am
Location: OKC, OK

Re: Lab sleep study vs at home?

Post by ArKiTeKt » Fri Feb 05, 2016 11:06 am

Sorry okydoky. Good catch. I should have said she's having a two night study not a"split." thanks all

User avatar
jonny515
Posts: 221
Joined: Sun Dec 20, 2015 2:41 pm
Location: New Mexico

Re: Lab sleep study vs at home?

Post by jonny515 » Fri Feb 05, 2016 11:29 am

I'd totally take the home study. I'm so done with the sleep lab. Just my 2¢.

User avatar
palerider
Posts: 32300
Joined: Wed Dec 16, 2009 5:43 pm
Location: Dallas(ish).

Re: Lab sleep study vs at home?

Post by palerider » Fri Feb 05, 2016 2:00 pm

home studies may not be 'perfect', but then again, neither are lab studies, and home studies are much more comfortable, and a fraction of the cost. it makes complete sense to start out with a home study.

more patient comfort, easier screening, and you can go from there to more extensive workups, or just start with an auto machine, which used properly is like an ongoing titration, and more effective for most people than a few hours in an unfamiliar place under strange conditions.

_________________
Mask: Bleep DreamPort CPAP Mask Solution
Additional Comments: S9 VPAP Auto
Get OSCAR

Accounts to put on the foe list: dataq1, clownbell, gearchange, lynninnj, mper!?, DreamDiver, Geer1, almostadoctor, sleepgeek, ajack, stom, mogy, D.H., They often post misleading, timewasting stuff.

User avatar
chunkyfrog
Posts: 34378
Joined: Mon Jul 12, 2010 5:10 pm
Location: Nebraska--I am sworn to keep the secret of this paradise.

Re: Lab sleep study vs at home?

Post by chunkyfrog » Fri Feb 05, 2016 2:02 pm

For that matter, the titration could be done with an auto bilevel machine, just in case . . .

_________________
Mask: AirFit™ P10 For Her Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: Airsense 10 Autoset for Her

Janknitz
Posts: 8410
Joined: Sat Mar 20, 2010 1:05 pm
Location: Northern California

Re: Lab sleep study vs at home?

Post by Janknitz » Fri Feb 05, 2016 3:56 pm

About 80% of people with Sleep Apnea have "run of the mill" obstructive sleep apnea." There are some sophisticated home testing devices (here's one to look at http://www.itamar-medical.com/patients-watchpat/) which are actually pretty sophisticated devices with many channels of data to diagnose obstructive sleep apnea and indicate when further testing for central or complex apnea may be indicated. They don't do a great job on detecting PLMD or restless leg syndrome, though.

IMHO, they are easier to tolerate, test under REAL sleeping conditions instead of the artificial environment of a sleep lab, and they are validated for accuracy and efficacy. Medicare covers home sleep testing, as do many insurers. Kaiser uses home sleep testing exclusively.

Another factor--it's more private. I would NEVER have submitted to an in lab sleep test, meaning I'd still be undiagnosed and untreated today--or already dead. It's also possible to titrate at home, using an APAP machine. Again, the accuracy is likely to be good since it is done under the patient's own sleeping conditions.

IMHO, your mom will get excellent testing and care with home testing.
What you need to know before you meet your DME http://tinyurl.com/2arffqx
Taming the Mirage Quattro http://tinyurl.com/2ft3lh8
Swift FX Fitting Guide http://tinyurl.com/22ur9ts
Don't Pay that Upcharge! http://tinyurl.com/2ck48rm

User avatar
ArKiTeKt
Posts: 40
Joined: Sat Jan 30, 2016 10:06 am
Location: OKC, OK

Re: Lab sleep study vs at home?

Post by ArKiTeKt » Fri Feb 05, 2016 9:51 pm

Thanks everyone for your opinions. I feel much better about the at home study now. Thanks again!