Correlation Between Screening for Obstructive Sleep Apnea Using a Portable Device Versus Polysomnography Testing in a Commercial Driving Population

Objective: To compare the accuracy of portable monitoring for obstruct live 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) >= 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. (J Occup Environ Med. 2009;51:1145-1150)