# SnoreLab Application in the Assessment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome: A Pilot Study
###### Abstract  
Background: SnoreLab (Version 5.3, Reviva Softworks Ltd., London, UK) is featured as the number one mobile application (app) for measuring snoring intensity and duration. The aim of this study was to conduct a comparative analysis between the results derived from SnoreLab and polysomnography (PSG). Methods: Male and female patients between 18 and 75 years of age, seeking medical counseling for suspected obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS), were considered eligible to participate in this study. Exclusion criteria were psychological or neurological disorders, drug or alcohol abuse, and inability to follow instructions. All patients underwent one overnight in-hospital PSG with simultaneous snoring recording using the SnoreLab app. Results: Nineteen patients (15 men, 4 women) aged 50.9 \(\pm\) 10.5 years were included. The overall cohort exhibited a Snore Score of 24.8 \(\pm\) 22.2 alongside an AHI of 15.1 \(\pm\) 17.0, indicating moderate OSAS. Interestingly, elevated Snore Scores were observed in both the simple snoring (30.7 \(\pm\) 19.2) and severe OSAS group (35.2 \(\pm\) 21.4) (Kruskal-Wallis \(p\)-value = 0.176). The analysis of the [PERSON]'s test did not reveal a statistically significant correlation between PSG parameters and the Snore Score. Conclusions: While SnoreLab records snoring, it is not designed for screening sleep apnea. Although SnoreLab may not replace PSG for use in diagnosis, it could serve as a complementary tool for monitoring snoring and to improve the interaction between patients and clinicians when integrated into a suitable clinical assessment. mobile applications; SnoreLab; smartphone; polysomnography; obstructive sleep apnea; snoring; mHealth +
Footnote †: journal: Medical  
daytime sleepiness [2]. Despite its serious implications, OSAS often goes undiagnosed or misdiagnosed, primarily due to its symptomatic overlap with common sleep disturbances. Notably, snoring, often dismissed as a benign habit, serves as a hallmark symptom of OSAS, indicating the need for further evaluation [3]. Early detection and intervention are imperative to mitigate the adverse health outcomes associated with OSAS, underscoring the importance of comprehensive sleep evaluations and polysomnography (PSG) in at-risk populations [4]. Recently, there has been rapid growth in the mobile applications (apps) business in the medical field. Among these, some aim to diagnose and monitor ear, nose, and throat (ENT) diseases. Subspecialties such as sleep medicine and rhinology have been particularly interested in the development of apps released on the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store. While these apps are available to patients, the quality varies, and only a few clinical trials have tested their accuracy [5]. An attempt to overcome this limitation and standardize contents has been seen in the development of the Mobile Application Rating Scale (MARS) [6], a simple tool for assessing the overall quality of health mobile apps together with aesthetics, engagement, function and information (score 1 to 5). MARS can also be used to provide a checklist for the design and development of new high-quality health apps. With more than 13 million downloads and 10,000 reviews, SnoreLab [Reviva Softworks Ltd., London, UK; [[https://www.snorelab.com/](https://www.snorelab.com/)]([https://www.snorelab.com/](https://www.snorelab.com/)) (accessed on 27 April 2024)] is featured as the number one iOS and Android app for recording and tracking snoring. SnoreLab provides measurements of snoring intensity and duration. Users can track their snoring patterns overnight, allowing for better understanding and management of their sleep health. SnoreLab offers a straightforward interface, requiring only the press of a button to initiate recording, with no need for calibration. This simplicity facilitates effortless usage. The app compares individuals' snoring patterns longitudinally, facilitating the assessment of interventions and lifestyle modifications' efficacy.