Home Sleep Apnea Testing Over 25 Years: A Bibliometric Analysis of Global Research Trends.

Abstract

Home sleep apnea tests (HSATs) have emerged as alternatives for diagnosing obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). We conducted a 25-year bibliometric analysis to characterize international research trends in Type 3 and 4 HSATs, focusing on publication, authorship, country of origin, HSAT type, and study design. MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Embase were searched for studies published from January 2000 to December 2025. Publications primarily evaluating Type 3 or 4 HSATs for OSA diagnosis in children or adults were included. Linear regression and Cochran-Armitage trend tests were used to assess temporal trends. The literature search yielded 6755 articles, with 487 articles included in the final analysis. From 2020 to 2025, the top five journals of publication were respiratory and sleep-related journals. Publication output increased significantly over time, at a rate of 1.127 articles per year (p < 0.001). From 2020 to 2025, the five most common journals were respiratory or sleep-related. The United States accounted for the largest proportion of publications (33.3%), followed by China and Canada. The proportion of authors with medical degrees increased by 1.08% annually (p = 0.042), while PhD and MD/PhD authorship remained stable. The number of institutions and departments represented among authors also remained stable (p = 0.248 and p = 0.323, respectively). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first bibliometric analysis of research trends in Type 3 and 4 HSATs. HSAT research has expanded substantially over the past 25 years, with increasing publication output and multi-authorship. Diagnostic cohort studies have consistently dominated the literature, while recent growth in secondary research suggests increasing maturity of the field and capacity for evidence synthesis. Rising MD authorship alongside stable PhD and MD/PhD representation suggests increasing clinician involvement. The United States remains the leading contributor, potentially reflecting greater access to research funding and resources.