Who needs a sleep test? The value of the history in the diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea.
Many experts believe that a polysomnogram to screen for obstructive sleep apnea should be performed on every patient who has a history of loud snoring and sleepiness. In contrast, the author believes that with a careful history and physical examination, there is no need to study all such patients, at least not until home polysomnography units become as convenient and economical as pulse oximetry.
Goode
R L
RL
Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Stanford, Calif., University Medical Center 94305-5328, USA. goode@leland.stanford.gov
D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008487:Medical History Taking; D017286:Polysomnography / Q000191:economics; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012891:Sleep Apnea Syndromes / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D012913:Snoring / Q000517:prevention & control; D019564:Unnecessary Procedures