The role of history, Epworth Sleepiness Scale Score and body mass index in identifying non-apnoeic snorers.
Seventy-one adults referred with snoring over a 9-month period were assessed and their apnoeic-status determined by clinical assessment using symptoms suggestive of the obstructive sleep apnoea-hypopnoea syndrome, the Epworth Sleepiness Scale score (ESS) and body mass index (BMI). The results of clinical assessment were compared to that of overnight six-channel polysomnography where snoring noise level, pulse rate, capillary oxygen saturation, breathing effort, oronasal airflow and body position were monitored. Polysomnography detected an apnoea-hypopnoea index (AHI) of < 15 episodes/h in 61(86%) patients and an AHI of > or = 15 episodes/h in 10 (14%) patients. Clinical assessment alone identified 57 patients with AHI of < 15 episodes/h as 'non-apnoeic snorers' and six patients with AHI of > or = 15 episodes/h as 'apnoeic snorers'. The sensitivity of this method of clinical assessment in identifying the 'non-apnoeic snorers' from amongst patients referred with snoring was 93.4% and its specificity was 60% (P < 0.001).
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Department of Ear, Nose and Throat Surgery, Walsgrave Hospital, Coventry, UK. paul@medicine.med.um.edu.my
Curry
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AR
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017286:Polysomnography; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012891:Sleep Apnea Syndromes / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012894:Sleep Stages; D012913:Snoring / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires