Validation of the snore outcomes survey for patients with sleep-disordered breathing.
OBJECTIVE
To develop and validate a self-reported outcomes measure for patients with sleep-disordered breathing-the Snore Outcomes Survey.


METHODS
Item areas of the SOS were developed by an expert panel. Consecutive patients were enrolled into the study in a prospective manner. Patients received the SOS, the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey, and standard overnight polysomnography at baseline and after 4 months of continuous positive airway pressure therapy.


METHODS
A tertiary care, academic otolaryngology and sleep disorders referral center.


METHODS
One hundred fifty-six adult patients presenting with a chief complaint of snoring or sleep-disordered breathing to the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston.


METHODS
Test-retest reliability, intrasurvey reliability, internal consistency, validity, and standardized response means of the SOS.


RESULTS
Overall, reliability of the SOS was excellent (test-retest reliability r = 0.86; P<.001; Cronbach alpha coefficient, 0.85). The SOS index significantly correlated with the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (r = - 0.42; P<.001) and the global Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index score (r = - 0.38; P<.001), as well as with the number of recorded arterial oxygen saturation levels below 85% (r = - 0.46; P =.02). The SOS index was sensitive to clinical changes after intervention (standardized response mean, 0.57).


CONCLUSIONS
The SOS is a reliable and valid instrument for assessing sleep-related health status for patients with snoring and sleep-disordered breathing and for measuring change in health status following therapy.
Department of Otolaryngology and Clinical Outcomes Research Unit, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, 243 Charles St, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
Richard E
RE
Gliklich
Pa-Chun
PC
Wang
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017286:Polysomnography; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012891:Sleep Apnea Syndromes / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D012913:Snoring / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome