Utility of the STOP-Bang and Epworth scales and the neck-to-height ratio to detect severe obstructive apnea-hypopnea syndrome in severe obesity.

BACKGROUND: Obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) is present in 80% of patients evaluated for bariatric surgery (BS). Extensive evaluation is not widely available, but treatment is mandatory for severe cases. The Snore, Tiredness, Observed apneas and Pressure - Body mass index, Age, Neck circumference and Gender (STOP-Bang) and Epworth questionnaires and neck-to-height ratio (NHtR) are accessible clinical tools to screen for sleep and metabolic disturbances, but their utility to detect severe OSAHS in patients with severe obesity has not been determined.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the cutoff point of those clinical tools that may predict severe OSAHS, confirmed by polysomnography in patients referred for BS.

SETTING: Tertiary referral center in Mexico City.

METHODS: We applied the STOP-Bang and Epworth questionnaires, evaluated anthropometric characteristics, and collected samples for arterial gasometry and metabolic parameters from 68 patients with severe obesity, who were then referred for polysomnography before their evaluation for BS.

RESULTS: Of the 68 patients participating in the study, 67.7% were female, with a median age of 43 years (35-49 years) and a body mass index (BMI) of 45.5 kg/m2 (42.4-50.9 kg/m2 ; 28.3% had a BMI ≥ 50 kg/m2 ). A STOP-Bang cutoff >5 points had a sensitivity of 60% and specificity of 90% for detecting severe OSAHS (area under the curve [AUC] = .962); meanwhile, an NHtR >.25 had a sensitivity of 90% and specificity of 52.5% (AUC = .759). The Epworth scale score >11 points had a sensitivity of 57.1% and specificity of 83.3% (AUC = .802).

CONCLUSION: Clinical data may be useful to detect severe sleep apnea in high-risk populations, allowing for rapid referral and better use of resources.