From the Research
The STOPBANG questionnaire is a validated screening tool for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) that consists of eight yes/no questions, including Snoring, Tiredness, Observed apnea, high blood Pressure, Body mass index, Age, Neck circumference, and Gender, with a score of 3 or more indicating intermediate risk for OSA, as supported by the most recent and highest quality study 1. The items in the STOPBANG questionnaire are:
- Snoring (loud enough to be heard through closed doors)
- Tiredness (feeling tired or sleepy during the day)
- Observed apnea (someone has observed you stop breathing during sleep)
- High blood Pressure (treated or untreated)
- Body mass index greater than 35 kg/m²
- Age over 50 years
- Neck circumference greater than 40 cm (16 inches)
- Gender (male) Each positive response counts as one point, with a total score ranging from 0-8. The questionnaire's diagnostic accuracy and ability to stratify patients for OSA risk have been validated in various studies, including a systematic review and meta-analysis 1, which found that a STOP-Bang score of at least 3 had excellent sensitivity and high discriminative power to exclude moderate to severe and severe OSA. The STOPBANG questionnaire is particularly useful in preoperative settings and primary care to identify patients who may need further sleep evaluation, as it is easy to implement and has been shown to be effective in screening for OSA in different populations 2, 3, 4, 5. However, it is essential to consider the nuances of interpreting the STOP-BANG questionnaire in specific populations, such as midlife women, where a lower score may be predictive of more severe OSA 4. Overall, the STOPBANG questionnaire is a valuable tool for screening and stratifying patients for OSA risk, and its use can help identify patients who require further evaluation and treatment to improve their morbidity, mortality, and quality of life.