2 ms·

I wouldn't put a ton of stock into this, but it could still be useful. The WatchPAT device is purpose-built for this test and includes a full fingertip oximeter

by tootie 2y ago

I wouldn't put a ton of stock into this, but it could still be useful. The WatchPAT device is purpose-built for this test and includes a full fingertip oximeter and while it's FDA-approved, it's still not very accurate. It's also a notoriously tricky condition to diagnose and can't really be done just by looking at numbers. I think there's value in the test being accessible to so many more people, it will likely have a positive outcome on detection and treatment, but I would not expect you to push a button and get a confirmed diagnosis.

carlmr 2y ago
>can't really be done just by looking at numbers Depending on the numbers, why not? If it's sensor accuracy a single night might not be enough, but if it detects the condition averaging over a few weeks even unreliable measurements can be made more reliable (given they're just noisy).
- tootie 2y ago
  Not a doctor, but I was given a diagnosis of severe sleep apnea from an overnight in-lab study. Sought a second opinion who decided it wasn't sleep apnea at all. AHI or T-90 are convenient indicators, but pulmonologists will actually look at the shape of your graph and listen to symptoms. All humans are different and don't always conform to formulas. That being said, your observation that a nightly watch user can collect lots of data is an interesting one. If Apple (or whoever) can come up a more heuristic analysis than just computing AHI, they may end up with something better. Also, not that you asked, but my sleep situation is a bit complicated and I actually ended up with a CPAP anyway.
  - wkat4242 2y ago
    That's why a sleep study is not just done with a watch but with ECG, video, breathing band, finger SpO2 clip etc. I was like a cyborg going to the bathroom, so many wires and devices clipped to me :) it's unreasonable to expect a watch to do the same.

by tootie 2y ago

carlmr 2y ago

>can't really be done just by looking at numbers Depending on the numbers, why not? If it's sensor accuracy a single night might not be enough, but if it detects the condition averaging over a few weeks even unreliable measurements can be made more reliable (given they're just noisy).

tootie 2y ago
Not a doctor, but I was given a diagnosis of severe sleep apnea from an overnight in-lab study. Sought a second opinion who decided it wasn't sleep apnea at all. AHI or T-90 are convenient indicators, but pulmonologists will actually look at the shape of your graph and listen to symptoms. All humans are different and don't always conform to formulas. That being said, your observation that a nightly watch user can collect lots of data is an interesting one. If Apple (or whoever) can come up a more heuristic analysis than just computing AHI, they may end up with something better. Also, not that you asked, but my sleep situation is a bit complicated and I actually ended up with a CPAP anyway.
- wkat4242 2y ago
  That's why a sleep study is not just done with a watch but with ECG, video, breathing band, finger SpO2 clip etc. I was like a cyborg going to the bathroom, so many wires and devices clipped to me :) it's unreasonable to expect a watch to do the same.