The Application and Utilization of an Ambulatory Recording System for the Screening of Sleep Disorders

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Abstract
It has become apparent in the last few years that many sleep complaints expressed by patients may involve cessation of breathing during sleep (apnea) or severe leg jerks (periodic movements in sleep-PMS), causing brief arousals throughout the night. The most commonly used practice for screening of these two disorders has been an all-night laboratory polysomnogram, which records sleep/wake, respiration, and leg movements. This technique involves, for the patient, a high cost, restriction of movement, and an unfamiliar and sometimes frightening setting. During the last few years our laboratory has used a portable ambulatory recording method to screen for sleep apnea and PMS, establishing a reliable and comfortable screening procedure in the patient's own home. The overall cost of an initial screening is thus reduced, as is the time spent by the technician who, in the laboratory, would monitor the patient all night. This method allows more patients to be screened by one technician and allows easy application for patients confined to bed. In addition to the time saved through this technique, it is also more easily tolerated by sensitive patients, such as the elderly. As knowledge in sleep disorders becomes more defined and available, it becomes desirable to offer such a time- and cost-saving method for initial screening of sleep disorders.