STOP-BANG screens for obstructive sleep apnea risk; what does a higher score indicate?

STOP-BANG screens for obstructive sleep apnea risk; what does a higher score indicate?

• A. Sleep quality; higher scores indicate better sleep.
• B. Obstructive sleep apnea risk; higher scores indicate greater risk.
• C. Cardiovascular risk; higher scores indicate greater risk.
• D. Respiratory infection risk; higher scores indicate more infections.

Answer: (B)

STOP-BANG is a screening tool used to estimate the risk of obstructive sleep apnea. Each factor in the acronym—snoring, tiredness, observed apnea, high blood pressure, BMI, age, neck circumference, and male gender—adds one point if present, so a higher total score reflects a greater likelihood of having OSA. It’s a screen rather than a diagnosis, meaning a higher score signals the need for further evaluation, such as polysomnography, because the probability of obstructive sleep apnea increases with the score. It doesn’t directly measure sleep quality, cardiovascular risk, or infection risk, though untreated OSA can contribute to cardiovascular problems.

STOP-BANG is a screening tool used to estimate the risk of obstructive sleep apnea. Each factor in the acronym—snoring, tiredness, observed apnea, high blood pressure, BMI, age, neck circumference, and male gender—adds one point if present, so a higher total score reflects a greater likelihood of having OSA. It’s a screen rather than a diagnosis, meaning a higher score signals the need for further evaluation, such as polysomnography, because the probability of obstructive sleep apnea increases with the score. It doesn’t directly measure sleep quality, cardiovascular risk, or infection risk, though untreated OSA can contribute to cardiovascular problems.