Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 15, 2026
07:54
Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy DISE with Target Controlled Infusion TCI and Bispectral Analysis in Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Published on: December 6, 2016
20.5K
Expert panel perspectives on multi-night testing for obstructive sleep apnoea: A Delphi study.
Kai Fricke1, Philip Heesen1, Noriane A Sievi1
1Faculty of Medicine, University of Zurich, Switzerland; Department of Pulmonology, University Hospital Zurich, Switzerland.
Sleep Medicine
|January 13, 2026
Summary
Multi-night sleep studies can improve obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) diagnosis when results are uncertain. Experts recommend a three-night protocol and using the average apnoea-hypopnoea index (AHI) for treatment decisions.
Area of Science:
- Sleep Medicine
- Diagnostic Accuracy
- Clinical Practice Guidelines
Background:
- Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) diagnosis relies on single-night sleep studies.
- Night-to-night variability in OSA can cause misdiagnosis and impact treatment.
- The value of multi-night sleep testing in OSA is not well-established.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish expert consensus on the use of multi-night sleep testing for OSA diagnosis.
- To define indications, timing, conduction, and interpretation of multi-night OSA testing.
- To address the clinical role of multi-night testing in managing OSA.
Main Methods:
- A modified Delphi study involving 13 international sleep medicine experts.
- Two rounds of structured questionnaires and anonymised feedback.
- Consensus defined as agreement among at least 70% of experts.
Main Results:
- Consensus reached on 12 out of 17 statements (71%).
- Experts support multi-night testing for suspected OSA variability, borderline AHI, or incongruent clinical findings.
- A three-night protocol and mean AHI for treatment decisions were endorsed.
Conclusions:
- Selective multi-night testing is supported for uncertain OSA cases.
- A three-night protocol and mean AHI thresholds offer a practical approach.
- Further research is needed for standardisation and integration into clinical practice.
Related Concept Videos
01:21Sleep Apnea
475
Sleep apnea is a condition where breathing stops intermittently during sleep, often leading to significant health issues. Each episode can last from 10 to 20 seconds or more and is frequently accompanied by a brief arousal from sleep. This disturbance, largely unnoticed by the individual, can lead to severe daytime fatigue. Commonly, individuals seek help after being informed by their partners about loud snoring and noticeable breathing pauses during sleep.
The condition is more prevalent among...
The condition is more prevalent among...
475
02:07Blind Procedures
12.8K
Ideally, the people who observe and record the children’s behavior are unaware of who was assigned to the experimental or control group, in order to control for experimenter bias. Experimenter bias refers to the possibility that a researcher’s expectations might skew the results of the study. Remember, conducting an experiment requires a lot of planning, and the people involved in the research project have a vested interest in supporting their hypotheses. If the observers knew which...
12.8K
01:24Substance Use Disorders Affecting Sleep
398
Substance use disorders involve a pattern of using drugs more extensively than intended and continuing use despite harmful consequences. This includes legal substances like alcohol and nicotine, as well as illegal drugs. These disorders often involve both physical and psychological dependence, reflecting compulsive use of substances that significantly alter thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, contributing to a major public health issue.
Understanding the concepts of physical dependence,...
Understanding the concepts of physical dependence,...
398
01:19Management of Insomnia
528
The sleep cycle, an integral part of human health, consists of several stages with distinct characteristics and functions. It begins with a transition from wakefulness to sleep, known as the light sleep phase, followed by the restorative deep sleep phase, essential for physical recovery and growth. The cycle concludes with the Rapid Eye Movement (REM) phase, characterized by high brain activity and vivid dreaming. Insomnia, a prevalent sleep disorder, involves difficulty falling asleep, staying...
528
01:18Nightmares and Night Terrors
458
Nightmares and night terrors represent two distinct types of sleep disturbances that differ in timing, characteristics, and the sleeper's recall of the event. Nightmares are vivid, disturbing dreams that usually awaken the sleeper from REM sleep, a stage of sleep where brain activity is high, and dreams are most frequent. Upon awakening, individuals often have detailed recollections of their nightmares, which can include themes of threats to survival, security, or self-esteem.
Nightmares...
Nightmares...
458
01:13Insufficient Sleep and Sleep Deprivation
828
Insufficient sleep refers to not getting the recommended amount of sleep for optimal functioning, even if it's just slightly less than needed. Sleep insufficiency may occur due to lifestyle choices, such as staying up late for social events or work, resulting in routinely getting less sleep than required. For example, consistently sleeping 6 hours when the body needs 7-9 hours can lead to cumulative effects on health and well-being.
Sleep deprivation is a more severe form of sleep loss...
Sleep deprivation is a more severe form of sleep loss...
828