To validate a wrist-worn portable device (WatchPat 200) to diagnose OSA in an Asian cohort. To evaluate its cost-effectiveness. Twenty patients with suspected OSA were recruited and had simultaneous polysomnography (PSG) and WatchPAT assessments concurrently within the hospital's sleep laboratory. The study population consisted of 18 male and 2 female patients, whose mean age was 39 (±16) years, mean BMI was 27.2 (±5.5) kg/m, mean Epworth Sleepiness score was 8.55 (±4.8). The correlation between the AHI was assessed using Spearman's correlation coefficient and agreement was tested via the Bland Altman plot. Sensitivities and specificities were then applied to the various AHI groups. Spearman's coefficient was 0.94, which suggested that a very strong correlation between the AHI recorded by the WatchPat and the PSG. Bland-Altman plot showed good agreement with the AHI mean difference of about 4.23 with a slight tendency to overscore the AHI at the mild range of OSA and underscore the range at the severe end of OSA. The WatchPat showed 100% sensitivity when compared to PSG for mild OSA and is thus a good screening test for the undiagnosed general population. Furthermore, it also showed 100% specificity when compared to PSG for severe OSA suggesting that it is a good diagnostic test for people with a high suspicion of OSA. This facilitates a timelier diagnosis and a more economical approach with potential cost savings of up to $900 per patient.

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Objective To investigate if routine audiometry in Bell’s palsy patients has prognostic value. Methods Retrospective case review was conducted on all Bell’s palsy patients (n=191) seen at the tertiary otolaryngology specialist outpatient clinic from 2015 to 2017. Correlation of ipsilesional audiometric thresholds with patients’ time-to-recovery and initial clinical severity (measured by House-Brackmann (HB) scoring) were used for the prognostic outcome measure. Audiometry results were analyzed using three contiguous frequency pure-tone average (1kHz, 2kHz, 4kHz). Statistical analysis was done via Stata (v13.1), significance tests were 2-sided at 5% significance level. Results There was no significant difference between audiometric thresholds between the ipsilesional ear and the contralateral ear (p=0.87). Time-to-recovery was significantly longer for patients with severe initial presentation as compared to mild and moderate severity (p<0.01). There was no correlation found between the audiometry results and HB score at presentation (p=0.39). There was no correlation found between ipsilesional audiometric thresholds and time-to-recovery (p=0.58). Conclusion Our study suggests that routine audiometry has limited prognostic value in Bell’s palsy patients.