Validation of the modified Berlin questionnaire to identify patients at risk for the obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome

S. K. Sharma, C. Vasudev, S. Sinha, A. Banga, R. M. Pandey, K. K. Handa

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

151 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background & objectives: Awareness regarding obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) among general public as well as practicing physicians is low in India. The present study was undertaken to test the utility of modified Berlin questionnaire for risk categorization of OSA in Indian setting. Methods: The modified Berlin questionnaire was administered in 180 middle aged adults (of 320 screened), of whom, 104 underwent overnight polysomnograhy, in a cross-sectional study at a tertiary care, referral center in north India. Questionnaire addressed the presence of frequency of snoring, wake time sleepiness, fatigue, obesity and hypertension. Subjects with persistent and frequent symptoms in any two of these three domains were considered in high risk category for obstructive sleep apnoea. Overnight polysomnograhy was performed to measure apnoea and hypopnoea index (AHI). Results: Questions about the symptoms demonstrated internal consistency (Cronbach α correlations 0.92-0.96). Of the 180 respondents to the screening questions, 80 were in the high risk and the rest were in low risk group. For 104 subjects who underwent polysomnograhy, risk grouping was useful in prediction of AHI. High risk category predicted an AHI >5 with a sensitivity of 86 per cent, specificity of 95 per cent, positive and negative predictive values of 96 and 82 per cent respectively. These results were comparable to Berlin questionnaire study done in the western population for validation. Interpretation & conclusion: On the basis of the findings of present study it is concluded that administration of modified Berlin questionnaire prior to a polysomnography study can identify high risk subjects and can thus avoid unnecessary polysomnography studies especially in resource-limited settings. To identify subjects at risk for OSA syndrome in general population, this questionnaire can be applied. However, the findings of the present study need to be confirmed further in a large number of subjects in a community-based setting.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)281-290
Number of pages10
JournalIndian Journal of Medical Research
Volume124
Issue number3
StatePublished - Sep 2006

Keywords

  • Apnoea-hypopnea index
  • Berlin questionnaire
  • Obstructive sleep apnoea
  • Obstructive sleep apnoea/hypopnoea syndrome
  • Polysomnography
  • Respiratory disturbance index

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

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