Preoperative identification of sleep apnea risk in elective surgical patients, using the Berlin questionnaire.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To examine the prevalence of risk of sleep apnea in patients undergoing elective surgery by using the Berlin Questionnaire.

DESIGN: Survey instrument.

SETTINGS: Preoperative assessment clinic.

PATIENTS: 305 surgical ASA physical status I, II, III, and IV patients.

INTERVENTIONS: Patients were screened with the Berlin questionnaire for obstructive sleep apnea. For patients deemed at high risk of sleep apnea by the Berlin questionnaire, a letter was sent to their family physician requesting referral of patient to have an overnight polysomnography test for the diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea.

MEASUREMENTS: The number of patients identified by the Berlin questionnaire as being at high risk of obstructive sleep apnea was identified. The number of patients with a history of obstructive sleep apnea and those newly confirmed by polysomnography were also identified.

MAIN RESULTS: The Berlin questionnaire identified 24% (73/305) of patients as being at high risk of sleep apnea (95% confidence interval, 19%-29%). Thirteen patients were confirmed to have obstructive sleep apnea, resulting in a frequency of 4.2%; 9 patients had a history of obstructive sleep apnea, and 5 patients were identified by polysomnography.

CONCLUSIONS: The Berlin questionnaire correctly identified all patients previously diagnosed with sleep apnea as being at high risk.