Graco et al reported a model for detecting obstructive sleep apnea in patients with chronic tetraplegia. This consists of an initial screen followed by sleep oximetry. The authors are from multiple institutions in Australia, Canada and the United States.
Patient selection: chronic tetraplegia
Parameters:
(1) ASIA Impairment Grade (A, B, C, D or E)
(2) snoring
(3) witnessed apnea during sleep
(4) sleepiness at mid-day (using the Karolinska Sleepiness Scale from 0 to 9)
Parameter
Finding
Points
ASIA Impairment Grade
D or E
0
A, B, or C
3
snoring
no
0
yes
3
witnessed apnea
no
0
yes
2
sleepy at mid-day
no
0
yes
2
total score =
= SUM(points for all of the parameters)
Interpretation:
• minimum score: 0
• maximum score: 10
• A positive screen was a score >= 5.
A positive screen is followed by overnight oximetry to detect desaturation.
Performance:
• The screening questionnaire has an area under the ROC curve of 0.87.
To read more or access our algorithms and calculators, please log in or register.
