Preoperative identification of sleep apnea risk in elective surgical patients, using the Berlin questionnaire.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the prevalence of risk of sleep apnea in patients undergoing elective surgery by using the Berlin Questionnaire.


METHODS
Survey instrument.


METHODS
Preoperative assessment clinic.


METHODS
305 surgical ASA physical status I, II, III, and IV patients.


METHODS
Patients were screened with the Berlin questionnaire for obstructive sleep apnea. For patients deemed at high risk of sleep apnea by the Berlin questionnaire, a letter was sent to their family physician requesting referral of patient to have an overnight polysomnography test for the diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea.


METHODS
The number of patients identified by the Berlin questionnaire as being at high risk of obstructive sleep apnea was identified. The number of patients with a history of obstructive sleep apnea and those newly confirmed by polysomnography were also identified.


RESULTS
The Berlin questionnaire identified 24% (73/305) of patients as being at high risk of sleep apnea (95% confidence interval, 19%-29%). Thirteen patients were confirmed to have obstructive sleep apnea, resulting in a frequency of 4.2%; 9 patients had a history of obstructive sleep apnea, and 5 patients were identified by polysomnography.


CONCLUSIONS
The Berlin questionnaire correctly identified all patients previously diagnosed with sleep apnea as being at high risk.
Chung
Frances
F
Department of Anesthesiology, Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5T 2S8. frances.chung@uhn.on.ca <
Ward
Barnaby
B
Ho
Joyce
J
Yuan
Hongbo
H
Kayumov
Leonid
L
Shapiro
Colin
C
D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D017558:Elective Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017286:Polysomnography / Q000379:methods; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000379:methods*; D015995:Prevalence; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012891:Sleep Apnea Syndromes / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires / Q000592:standards*