Publication

Abstract : Objectives: To prospectively evaluate the utility of clinical parameters in snorers in predicting obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) or for prioritizing patients for overnight polysomnography (OPS). Period and setting: August 2004 to June 2006; Sleep Laboratory, Institute of chest Diseases, Medical College, Kozhikode Design: Loud habitual snorers with one other symptom suggestive of OSA were subjected to 10 channel overnight polysomnography. OSA was diagnosed as per American Academy of Sleep Medicine criteria. Parameters having significant association with OSA and subsequently, independent predictors were determined statistically. For continuous variables, cut off values were obtained. A decision model for prioritizing patients for OPS was devised based on the predictors. Results: 90 patients completed the study. 71 participants had OSA. Age, sex and neck circumference were the independent predictors of OSA with neck circumference having the greatest prediction value. The cut offs for age and neck circumference in predicting OSA was determined to be 50years and 15.5 inch respectively. Based on these predictors, a decision model for prioritizing symptomatic snorers waiting for OPS was formulated. Conclusion: Neck circumference 15.5 inches, age above 50years and male sex independently predicted the risk of OSA in our study group. Symptoms were insignificant predictors of OSA.