Accelerometry-derived respiratory index estimating apnea-hypopnea index for sleep apnea screening

•Sleep Apnea Syndrome is a multimorbid chronic disease largely under-diagnosed.•The development of automatic solution for early SAS detection is highly desirable.•Accelerometry Derived Respiration Index can improve the screening of sleep apnea.•Machine Learning approaches using explanatory features may improve physician's adhesion.•Interchangeability was demonstrated between nasal canula and Accelerometry Derived Respiration Index.