CHEST Guidelines-STOP-Bang-Questionnaire

STOP-Bang-Questionnaire_chest

Pdf Summary

The STOP-Bang questionnaire is a practical tool designed to screen for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a prevalent condition often left undiagnosed. This tool comprises eight yes/no questions focusing on snoring, tiredness, observed apneas, high blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), age, neck circumference, and male gender. It succinctly evaluates the risk of OSA with scores ranging from 0 to 8. Patients scoring 0-2 are likely at low risk, while those scoring 5-8 are considered high risk. Intermediate scores (3 or 4) require further assessment using specific criteria, such as BMI or neck circumference, to determine risk accurately.<br /><br />OSA is the most common sleep disorder, marked by repeated episodes of airway collapse during sleep, leading to serious health issues such as hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, and increased mortality. Its prevalence has surged to between 10% and 20%, underscoring the necessity for effective screening and prompt intervention.<br /><br />The STOP-Bang questionnaire stands out for its high sensitivity in detecting moderate to severe OSA, though it does have modest specificity, which could lead to some false positives and unnecessary referrals for sleep studies. As a result, it is crucial in various medical settings to identify individuals at OSA risk, such as surgical patients and those in sleep clinics, thereby facilitating early intervention and management.<br /><br />The tool's efficacy is supported by its simplicity and quick deployment (typically 1-2 minutes to complete), along with consistent results across diverse populations. Despite a few limitations, such as possible measurement variability and lower efficacy in specific populations like veterans or patients with renal failure, it remains a valuable resource for the early identification of OSA, essential for preventing the associated health risks and improving patient outcomes through targeted treatment strategies.

Keywords

STOP-Bang questionnaire

obstructive sleep apnea

OSA screening

snoring

high blood pressure

body mass index

neck circumference

sleep disorder

cardiovascular diseases

early intervention