Validation of the Japanese Version of the STOP-Bang Test for the Risk Assessment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to validate the Japanese version of the STOP-Bang test for risk assessment of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS).

Methods: We retrospectively evaluated inpatients who underwent nocturnal pulse oximetry for OSAS screening at the internal medical wards.

Results: One hundred and forty-four subjects were included the study, and 57 subjects who had a 3% oxygen desaturation index ≥10/hr underwent polysomnography. Seventeen and 29 subjects were diagnosed with moderate and severe OSAS, respectively. According to the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, the STOP-Bang test had a higher diagnostic value using a cutoff of 30 kg/m² for BMI than using a cutoff of 35 kg/m². A STOP-Bang score of 3 or greater had a sensitivity of 95.7% and specificity of 42.9% for detecting moderate-to-severe OSAS.

Conclusion: The STOP-Bang test is a simple and useful tool for the risk assessment of OSAS.