RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Sleep-disordered breathing in neuromuscular disease with diaphragm paralysis questionnaire JF European Respiratory Journal JO Eur Respir J FD European Respiratory Society SP erj00362-2010 DO 10.1183/09031936.00036210 A1 J. Steier A1 C. Jolley A1 J. Seymour A1 H. Teschler A1 Y. Luo A1 M.I. Polkey A1 J. Moxham YR 2010 UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/early/2010/07/01/09031936.00036210.abstract AB Patients with neuromuscular disease (NMD) are at risk of developing sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) following respiratory muscle involvement. We hypothesised that a questionnaire based on clinical symptoms and signs of diaphragm weakness can be used to screen for SDB in such patients.We developed a self-administered multiple choice questionnaire containing five questions (SiNQ-5), scoring 0–10 points. 125 patients were enroled, 32 with respiratory muscle weakness, 35 subjects with normal respiratory muscle strength, and 58 patients with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). All subjects underwent full polysomnography.NMD patients with involvement of the respiratory muscles scored 6.8(2.3) out of 10 points, significantly higher than both OSA patients (2.5(2.3)) and normal subjects (1.0(2.0), p<0.001). A score of five or more points in the SiNQ-5 had a sensitivity of 86.2%, specificity of 88.5%, positive predictive value of 69.4%, and a negative predictive value of 95.5% to identify NMD with combined SDB.A short self-administered questionnaire, the SiNQ-5, based on clinical symptoms can reliably screen for SDB in patients with diaphragm weakness. However, comorbidities, such as heart failure, that have symptoms influenced by posture could alter diagnostic accuracy.