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.
Gliklich
Richard E
RE
Department of Otolaryngology and Clinical Outcomes Research Unit, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, 243 Charles St, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
Wang
Pa-Chun
PC
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