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.