Physician Resources
The following questions should guide clinical suspicion:
1. Snoring:
a) Do you snore on most nights (more than 3 times/week)?
Yes (2) No (0)
b) Is your snoring loud (can it be heard through a door or
wall)?
Yes (2) No (0)
2. Has it ever been reported to you that you stop breathing
or gasp during sleep?
Never (0) Occasionally (3) Frequently (5)
3. What is your collar size?
Male: less than 17 inches (0) 17 inches or greater (5)
Female: less than 16 inches (0) 16 inches or greater (5)
4. Have you had, or are you currently being treated for, high
blood pressure?
Yes (2) No (0)
5. Do you occasionally doze, or fall asleep during the day when:
a) You are not busy or active?
Yes (2) No (0)
b) You are driving or stopped at a light?
Yes (2) No (0)
SCORE:
| 9 points or more | 6-8 points | 5 points or less |
| Order Sleep study or refer to sleep specialist | Gray area - use clinical judgment | Low probability of sleep apnea |
Developed by David White, Boston, Massachusetts, 1998
From http://www.sleephealth.com/professionals/screening_tool.htm
OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA
Sleep apnea is a common disorder characterized by repetitive
collapse of the pharyngeal airway during sleep.
CONSEQUENCES INCLUDE:
sleep disruption, waking sleepiness, poor job performance, decreased quality of life, and/or increased motor vehicle accidents. In addition, sleep apnea may contribute to systemic hypertension, mild pulmonary hypertension, arrhythmias and, possibly, myocardial infarction & stroke.
