AB021. Validation of the Greek translation of the STOP-Bang questionnaire in a sleep clinic population

Background: The STOP-Bang (SB) questionnaire is considered internationally as a valid screening tool for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The objective of this study was to validate this questionnaire in Greek language in a sleep clinic population.

Methods: Consecutive patients referred to the sleep clinics of the General Hospital “G. Papanikolaou” (Thessaloniki) and the General Hospital of Alexandroupolis for clinical evaluation of OSA completed the official Greek translation of SB questionnaire and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). The medical history of the patients, anthropometric measurements and sleep study parameters were also recorded.

Results: Included were 344 people (74.1% male) of mean age 51.6±12.9 years, mean BMI 33.1±7.2 kg/m² and mean respiratory disturbance index (RDI) 30.6±29.5/h. They had ESS 9.4±5.0 and SB total score 5.1±1.6. The Cronbach’s alpha internal consistency was 0.634. A significant correlation was found between ESS and SB score (r=0.306, P<0.001). In 24% of the study population the RDI was lower than 5/h. There was a significant difference in the SB score between them and patients with RDI ≥5/h (P=0.000) while a significant correlation was found between SB score >4 and RDI (r=0.385, P=0.000).

Conclusions: SB score is high in OSA patients and it is correlated with daytime sleepiness and RDI value. SB score >4 seems to associate with severe OSA.

Keywords: Obstructive pulmonary diseases; sleep apnea; Stop-Bang questionnaire (SB questionnaire)