North West London Pebble Pathway: Automated OSA Diagnosis

Many people with a condition called Obstructive Sleep Apnoea, or OSA, face a long wait to find out if they have it. This can sometimes take up to two years. Getting diagnosed quickly is really important because OSA can lead to other serious health problems if not treated, such as heart problems, lung disease, and even stroke. Current ways of diagnosing OSA can be quite expensive, take a long time to understand the results, involve uncomfortable wires and tubes, and might require several trips to the hospital, which isn't always easy for everyone.

This study is looking at a new, more convenient way to diagnose OSA using a small, wearable device called AcuPebble. This device can be sent directly to your home, making the test much simpler and more comfortable. It’s also designed to be cheaper and quicker than the current methods. The goal is to see if this new approach, which uses technology approved for home diagnosis, can truly transform how OSA is diagnosed in North West London.

Researchers will be comparing this new home-based test to older methods that involved hospital visits. They want to see if the AcuPebble pathway helps people get a diagnosis much faster. They'll also be looking at whether it saves the NHS money, is easier for patients (for instance, by reducing travel and overall costs), and even if it's better for the environment by cutting down on patient journeys.