Screening commercial drivers for obstructive sleep apnea: Validation of STOP-Bang questionnaire

Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2017 Jul 14;30(5):751-761. doi: 10.13075/ijomeh.1896.00906. Epub 2017 May 29.

Abstract

Objectives: The main aim has been to examine psychometric properties of STOP-Bang (snoring, tiredness, observed apnea, high blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), age, neck circumference, male gender) scoring model (Serbian translation), an obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) screening tool, in a sample of commercial drivers.

Material and methods: After formal translation, validation was performed on a sample of bus and truck drivers evaluating test-retest reliability, construct and criterion validity. Overnight polysomnography or cardiorespiratory polygraphy were used for OSA diagnosis purposes.

Results: One hundred male participants, 24-62 years old, were included. STOP-Bang classified 69% as potential OSA patients. Polysomnography identified OSA in 57% of the sample. Test-retest reliability (Cohen's κ = 0.89) was adequate. STOP-Bang score was significantly correlated to apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) and OSA severity. Sensitivity was 100% for AHI ≥ 15, highest specificity was 53.5% (AHI ≥ 5).

Conclusions: STOP-Bang showed good measurement properties, supporting its further use in OSA screening of commercial drivers. Int J Occup Med Environ Health 2016;30(5):751-761.

Keywords: commercial drivers; obstructive; polysomnography; questionnaires; sleep apnea; validation studies.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Automobile Driving*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Polysomnography
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Serbia
  • Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / diagnosis*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires*
  • Translations