Can STOP-Bang and Pulse Oximetry Detect and Exclude Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

BACKGROUND: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is related to postoperative complications and is a common disorder. Most patients with sleep apnea are, however, undiagnosed, and there is a need for simple screening tools. We aimed to investigate whether STOP-Bang and oxygen desaturation index can identify subjects with OSA. METHODS: In this prospective, observational multicenter trial, 449 adult patients referred to a sleep clinic for evaluation of OSA were investigated with ambulatory polygraphy, including pulse oximetry and the STOP-Bang questionnaire in 4 Swedish centers. The STOP-Bang score is the sum of 8 positive answers to Snoring, Tiredness, Observed apnea, high blood Pressure, Body mass index >35 kg/m2, Age >50 years, Neck circumference >40 cm, and male Gender. RESULTS: The optimal STOP-Bang cutoff score was 6 for moderate and severe sleep apnea, defined as apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) ≥15, and the sensitivity and specificity for this score were 63% (95% CI, 0.55–0.70) and 69% (95% CI, 0.64–0.75), respectively. A STOP-Bang score of 15 and a STOP-Bang score of ≥6 had a specificity of 91% (95% CI, 0.87–0.94) for an AHI >15. The items contributing most to the STOP-Bang were the Bang items. There was a positive correlation between AHI versus STOP-Bang and between AHI versus oxygen desaturation index, Spearman ρ 0.50 (95% CI, 0.43–0.58) and 0.96 (95% CI, 0.94–0.97), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: STOP-Bang and pulse oximetry can be used to screen for sleep apnea. A STOP-Bang score of

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