Abstract
Questionnaires have been validated as screening tool in adult populations at risk for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Portable monitors (PM) have gained acceptance for the confirmation of OSA in patients (pts) with a high pretest probability of the disorder. We evaluated the diagnostic utility of validated questionnaires and a Level III PM in the diagnosis and severity of OSA.
The aim was to evaluate if pts with a high pretest probability of OSA according to pre-determined questionnaires would have high prevalence and severity of OSA. Consecutive pts referred to the sleep clinic completed 3 questionnaires (Standford Sleepiness Scale (SSS), Berlin Questionnaire (BQ) and STOP-Bang) and were then submitted to a Level III PM test.
In 2013, 353 pts were evaluated at our sleep clinic, 64% males. All were submitted to Level III testing and presented the following severity of obstructive apnea (IAH<5 negative; IAH>5 mild, IAH>15 moderate, IAH>30 severe); negative 25%, mild 26%, moderate 17% and severe 32%. In the SSS, 12 pts (4%) scored more than 3. Eight patients (66,7%) scored positive (IAH > 5). Three had severe, 4 moderate and 1 mild results in the poligraphy. One hundred and twenty six pts (35,7%) scored positive in all three categories of BQ. 99(79%) scored positive (IAH > 5). 29% mild, 17% moderate and 33% severe. In the Stop-Bang, out of a total of 219 answers, 103 pts (47%) scored more than 4. Out of these 103 pts, 89% scored positive (IAH>5); 27% mild, 20% moderate and 43% severe.
None of the questionnaires evaluated were able to predict the severity of OSA, however, STOP-Bang, when positive, was highly suggestive of the presence of OSA.
- © 2014 ERS
