Which questionnaires are used to screen for Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

• A. STOP BANG
• B. EPWORTH Sleepiness Scale
• C. Both STOP BANG and Epworth Sleepiness Scale
• D. None of the above

Answer: (C)

Screening for obstructive sleep apnea uses tools that capture both risk factors for breathing disruption during sleep and the daytime effects that often follow it. STOP-BANG is a focused eight-item screen that looks at snoring, tiredness, observed apneas, high blood pressure, body mass index, age, neck circumference, and gender. A higher score on this screen correlates with a greater likelihood of having obstructive sleep apnea, including more significant forms, making it a robust, rapid screening method.

The Epworth Sleepiness Scale, on the other hand, assesses daytime sleepiness by asking how likely you are to doze in different everyday situations. While not specific to sleep apnea, substantial daytime sleepiness is a common consequence of OSA and helps identify individuals who may need further evaluation. Using both together covers both nighttime risk and daytime impact, improving overall screening sensitivity.

Remember, these questionnaires screen for risk and symptom burden, but they do not diagnose OSA; definitive testing like polysomnography is still required for diagnosis.