C5.3 Sleep studies

Specialist referral is recommended for COPD patients suspected of having a coexistent sleep disorder or with hypercapnia or pulmonary hypertension in the absence of daytime hypoxaemia, right heart failure or polycythaemia. Overnight pulse oximetry may be used to assess a need for overnight domiciliary oxygen therapy, and may be indicated in patients receiving long-term domiciliary oxygen therapy to assess whether hypoxaemia has been adequately corrected.