Automatic identification of sleep and wakefulness using single‐channel EEG and respiratory polygraphy signals for the diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea

• Published in: Journal of sleep research Vol. 28; no. 2; pp. e12795 - n/a
• Main Authors: Sabil, AbdelKebir, Vanbuis, Jade, Baffet, Guillaume, Feuilloy, Mathieu, Le Vaillant, Marc, Meslier, Nicole, Gagnadoux, Frédéric
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Wiley 01.04.2019
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; automatic scoring algorithm; Electroencephalography - methods; Engineering Sciences; Female; home polygraphy; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; OSA subjects; Polysomnography - methods; Reproducibility of Results; Signal and Image processing; single‐channel EEG; Sleep - physiology; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive - diagnosis; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive - physiopathology; Wakefulness - physiology; single-channel EEG; OSA subjects; automatic scoring algorithm; home polygraphy; single‐channel EEG
• ISSN: 0962-1105; 1365-2869; 1365-2869
• DOI: 10.1111/jsr.12795

Polysomnography (PSG) is necessary for the accurate estimation of total sleep time (TST) and the calculation of the apnea–hypopnea index (AHI). In type III home sleep apnea testing (HSAT), TST is overestimated because of the lack of electrophysiological sleep recordings. The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy and reliability of a novel automated sleep/wake scoring algorithm combining a single electroencephalogram (EEG) channel with actimetry and HSAT signals. The study included 160 patients investigated by PSG for suspected obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Each PSG was recorded and scored manually using American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) rules. The automatic sleep/wake‐scoring algorithm was based on a single‐channel EEG (FP2‐A1) and the variability analysis of HSAT signals (airflow, snoring, actimetry, light and respiratory inductive plethysmography). Optimal detection thresholds were derived for each signal using a training set. Automatic and manual scorings were then compared epoch by epoch considering two states (sleep and wake). Cohen's kappa coefficient between the manual scoring and the proposed automatic algorithm was substantial, 0.74 ± 0.18, in separating wakefulness and sleep. The sensitivity, specificity and the positive and negative predictive values for the detection of wakefulness were 76.51% ± 21.67%, 95.48% ± 5.27%, 81.84% ± 15.42% and 93.85% ± 6.23% respectively. Compared with HSAT signals alone, AHI increased by 22.12% and 27 patients changed categories of OSA severity with the automatic sleep/wake‐scoring algorithm. Automatic sleep/wake detection using a single‐channel EEG combined with HSAT signals was a reliable method for TST estimation and improved AHI calculation compared with HSAT. Statement of Significance The reference standard for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) management is in‐laboratory polysomnography (PSG), but this method is expensive and time consuming. Type III home sleep apnea testing (HSAT) is an accepted alternative in adult patients with high clinical probability of moderate to severe OSA and no significant comorbidities. However, HSAT underestimates OSA severity by using total recording time rather than total sleep time for apnea–hypopnea index (AHI) calculation. In 160 patients investigated for clinical suspicion of OSA, a fully automated analysis of single‐lead EEG channel (FP2‐A1) combined with HSAT signals was reliable for sleep/wake identification and improved AHI calculation. This could decrease the number of PSGs needed for a therapeutic decision in patients with borderline AHI and/or comorbid insomnia