Feasibility of portable sleep monitors to detect obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in a vulnerable urban population.
OBJECTIVE
Portable sleep monitors may offer a convenient method to expand detection of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), yet few studies have evaluated this technology in vulnerable populations. We therefore aimed to assess the feasibility and acceptability of portable sleep monitors for detection of OSA in a prediabetic, urban minority population.


METHODS
We recruited a convenience sample of participants at their 12-month follow-up for a community-partnered, peer-led lifestyle intervention aimed to prevent diabetes in prediabetic and overweight patients in this prospective mixed-methods pilot study. All participants wore portable sleep monitors overnight at home. We qualitatively explored perceptions about OSA and portable monitors in a subset of participants.


RESULTS
We tested 72 people, predominantly non-White, female, Spanish speaking, uninsured, and of low income. Use of portable sleep monitors was feasible: 100% of the monitors were returned and all participants received results. We detected OSA in 49% (defined as an Apnea-Hypopnea Index [AHI] >5) and moderate-severe OSA in 14% (AHI >15) requiring treatment in 14%. In 21 qualitative interviews, participants supported increased use of portable sleep monitors in their community, were appropriately concerned that OSA could cause progression to diabetes, and thought weight loss could prevent or improve OSA.


CONCLUSIONS
Portable sleep monitors may represent a feasible method for detecting OSA in high-risk urban minority populations.
From the Mount Sinai School of Medicine (JN, CRH), New York, NY; Grameen Primacare (EL), New York, NY; Stanford University School of Medicine (MN), Palo Alto, CA; Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (RNA), and Weill Cornell School of Medicine (AK), Baltimore, MD. jillian.nickerson@gmail.com.
Jillian
J
Nickerson
From the Mount Sinai School of Medicine (JN, CRH), New York, NY; Grameen Primacare (EL), New York, NY; Stanford University School of Medicine (MN), Palo Alto, CA; Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (RNA), and Weill Cornell School of Medicine (AK), Baltimore, MD.
Euny
E
Lee
From the Mount Sinai School of Medicine (JN, CRH), New York, NY; Grameen Primacare (EL), New York, NY; Stanford University School of Medicine (MN), Palo Alto, CA; Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (RNA), and Weill Cornell School of Medicine (AK), Baltimore, MD.
Michael
M
Nedelman
From the Mount Sinai School of Medicine (JN, CRH), New York, NY; Grameen Primacare (EL), New York, NY; Stanford University School of Medicine (MN), Palo Alto, CA; Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (RNA), and Weill Cornell School of Medicine (AK), Baltimore, MD.
R Nisha
RN
Aurora
From the Mount Sinai School of Medicine (JN, CRH), New York, NY; Grameen Primacare (EL), New York, NY; Stanford University School of Medicine (MN), Palo Alto, CA; Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (RNA), and Weill Cornell School of Medicine (AK), Baltimore, MD.
Ana
A
Krieger
From the Mount Sinai School of Medicine (JN, CRH), New York, NY; Grameen Primacare (EL), New York, NY; Stanford University School of Medicine (MN), Palo Alto, CA; Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (RNA), and Weill Cornell School of Medicine (AK), Baltimore, MD.
Carol R
CR
Horowitz
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004867:Equipment Design; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D017286:Polysomnography / Q000295:instrumentation*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014505:Urban Population; D035862:Vulnerable Populations
Community-Based Participatory Research; Diabetes Mellitus; Monitoring; Obesity; Sleep; Sleep Disorders