SleepyMonster wrote:
Our city once had one of the only sleep clinics in western canada, now patients are sent home with a monitor for one night.
what might be the pros and cons of each?
Thanks
SM
Hi,
The full title is a Limited Home Study..........and that is what it is.
The full polysomnogram (overnight sleep study), carried out in a sleep lab is the 'gold standard'. The report from this covers everything from brain activity to limb movements, respiratory activity, sleep staging etc etc. The limited home study only covers a limited amount of activity.
The pros of the polsomnogram are that it provides a very definitive report from which a detailed plan of action can be formed, to include cardiac and other possible problems...........the cons.......it is expensive and from the hospital's point of view id exhaustive on staff resources.
The limited home study pros are it's cheap, you don't use up a hospital bed or nursing/terhnical resources...........the cons......you don't get as 'deep' a diagnosis.
The ultimate in sleep testing is a 3 night visit to a sleep lab, comprising polysomnogram on night one, titration on night two and a 'solo flight' with cpap on night three........obviously expensive, but reported in a Belgian study some 2/3 years ago as the 'ultimate'.
You will probably find also that with the limited home study, should you have OSA, you will also have a home based titration study which will be carried out by the DME company who will ultimately try to sell you their equipment.
One final thing...........you will also find that your 'specialist' will charge you the same fee, regardless.
Best of luck.
Daniel.
_________________
The untreated Sleep Apnoea sufferer died quietly in his sleep.......
Unlike his three passengers who died screaming !!!!!!
(Anon)
