Table 1:

Different types of diagnostic sleep testing

Sleep test	Indications for use	Operating characteristics for sleep testing modality*20
		AHI ≥ 5 events/h	AHI ≥ 15 events/h
Polysomnography
Attended (level I study)	Low-to-moderate probability of OSA Nondiagnostic HSAT/oximetry and suspected OSA Suspected sleep disorder other than OSA Suspected CSA or hypoventilation	Gold standard	Gold standard
Unattended (level II study)	Predominantly used for research purposes	Sn: 0.88–0.97 Sp: 0.50–0.56	Sn: 0.94–0.95 Sp: 0.76–0.77
Home sleep apnea testing
Level III study	Moderate-to-high probability of OSA without comorbidity Unable to perform PSG because of immobility or infirmity Confirm treatment efficacy	Sn: 0.90–1.00 Sp: 0.30–0.67	Sn: 0.66–0.88 Sp: 0.62–1.00
Two- or three-channel study		Sn: 0.80–0.96 Sp: 0.65–0.83	Sn: 0.66–0.88 Sp: 0.62–1.00
Single-channel study		Sn: 0.96† Sp: 0.82†	Sn: 0.55–0.91 Sp: 0.70–0.82
Peripheral arterial tone study		Sn: 0.96† Sp: 0.43†	Sn: 0.92–0.96 Sp: 0.77–1.00

Note: AHI = apnea–hypopnea index, CSA = central sleep apnea, HSAT = home sleep apnea testing, OSA = obstructive sleep apnea, PSG = polysomnography, Sn = sensitivity, Sp = specificity.

^*Operating characteristics of these testing modalities when compared with PSG and reported for high-prevalence populations (estimated prevalence 87%).³⁷

^†Based on one validation study.