Wearable home-testing devices for diagnosing obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAHS)

What were we asked to look at?

Scottish health technology group (SHTG) has been asked to summarise the evidence on the clinical effectiveness, cost effectiveness and safety of wearable home-testing devices to diagnose obstructive sleep apnoea or hypopnoea syndrome (OSAHS) in adults, compared with home respiratory polygraphy.

OSAHS is a condition where the upper airways intermittently and repeatedly collapse during sleep. This can range from complete airflow blockage (apnoea) to a reduction in airflow (hypopnoea).

Why is this important?

Wearable home-testing devices for OSAHS are portable electronic sleep-monitoring devices worn directly on the body to monitor sleep in real time. They have significant potential to improve sleep services across Scotland, benefiting people’s quality of life and reducing NHS resource pressures. Poor sleep is linked to worse mental health (anxiety, stress, and depression) and physical health (heart disease, high blood pressure, obesity, type 2 diabetes) and reduced cognitive function (with safety implications).

Demand for sleep diagnostic services across NHSScotland remains high, with ongoing pressures on capacity and variation in waiting times. Technologies that enable testing in the home may improve access, reduce delays and support more efficient service delivery.

Wearable home-testing devices can be sent to people's homes and returned by post. This can save time for patients, save resources for the healthcare system, and increase access to testing.