Obstructive sleep apnea in general surgery patients: is it more common than we think? Journal Article


Authors: Kulkarni, G. V.; Horst, A.; Eberhardt, J. M.; Kumar, S; Sarker, S.
Article Title: Obstructive sleep apnea in general surgery patients: is it more common than we think?
Abstract: BACKGROUND: To determine the risk of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in preoperative surgical patients. METHODS: Three hundred seventy-one new patients presenting to an outpatient general surgery clinic were prospectively screened for risk of OSA using the STOP-Bang questionnaire. Patients were classified as high risk with a score of >3 on the STOP-Bang questionnaire. Polysomnography results were reviewed when available. RESULTS: Complete questionnaires were available on 367 (98.9%) patients. Two hundred thirty-seven patients (64.6%) were classified as high risk of OSA on the questionnaire. Polysomnography results available on 49 patients revealed severe OSA in 17 (34.5%), moderate in 8 (16.5%), mild in 14 (28.5%), and no OSA in 10 (20.5%) patients. The positive predictive value and sensitivity of the questionnaire were 76%, and 92% for the STOP-Bang questionnaire, respectively. The sensitivity increased to 100% for severe OSA. CONCLUSION: Preoperative screening for OSA should be considered to diagnose patients at risk.
Journal Title: American Journal of Surgery
Volume: 207
Issue: 3
ISSN: 1879-1883; 0002-9610
Publisher: Elsevier Inc  
Date Published: 2014
Start Page: 436
End Page: 440
Language: ENG
DOI/URL:
Notes: CI: Copyright (c) 2014; JID: 0370473; OTO: NOTNLM; 2013/07/16 [received]; 2013/09/19 [revised]; 2013/09/22 [accepted]; 2013/12/24 [aheadofprint]; ppublish