Feasibility of home testing to detect undiagnosed obstructive sleep apnea in late life depression

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) often remains undiagnosed in Late Life Depression (LLD) and complicates treatment. We investigated the feasibility of Home Sleep Apnea Testing (HSAT) to improve detection.

One hundred older adults (age 50+) attending a hospital clinic with LLD and no dementia were screened.

Of 100 screened, 58 (with known OSA, recent negative sleep test or inability to comply with testing) were excluded. Among 42 older adults offered HSAT, 26 consented and 20 successfully completed testing. Fourteen (70%) of those tested had OSA (4 (20%) with moderate-severe OSA). STOP-BANG questionnaire score ≥3 detected 75% with moderate to severe OSA. Most (73.7%) rated their experience of HSAT as neutral to excellent, while a minority described difficulty using the device.

HSAT may be a feasible and acceptable way to improve detection of OSA among patients with LLD who are reluctant or unable to access in-laboratory testing.