Risk factors of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome in obese early adolescents: a prediction model using scoring system.

AIM: to obtain the OSAS prevalence and risk factors of OSAS in obese early adolescents and to create a scoring system based on risk factors for diagnosing OSAS.

METHODS: an observational study in Jakarta, November 2007 until December 2008 on obese adolescents aged 10-12 years with snoring. Subjects underwent clinical examination, lung function test, paranasal sinus X-ray, and polisomnography. Measured outcomes were diagnosis of OSAS; sensitivity, specificity, predictive values, and likelihood ratios of a scoring system based on risk factors.

RESULTS: the prevalence of OSAS in obese early adolescents is 38.2% using AHI cut-off point of ≥3 on PSG. Tonsillar hypertrophy, adenoid hypertrophy, and neck circumference were the main risk factors. Scoring system was designed based on these results: OS= T + A + NC; OS= OSAS score; T= tonsil hypertrophy (≥T3 scored 1,
CONCLUSION: a scoring system based on tonsillar hypertrophy, adenoid hypertrophy, and neck circumference has sensitivity and specificity of 62% and 100% in diagnosing OSAS.