Diagnostic Value of the Morphometric Model and Adjusted Neck Circumference in Adults with Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome.

BACKGROUND

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome is a major public health problem. The morphometric model and the Sleep Apnea Clinical Score are widely used to evaluate adults; however, neither of these tools has been validated in a Mexican population.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the diagnostic value of the morphometric model and the Sleep Apnea Clinical Score and compare them with conventional clinical instruments.

METHODS

A total of 97 individuals were recruited prospectively. Initial screening excluded 36, of whom nine were subjects without apnea; the remaining 52 were consecutive patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome diagnosed by nocturnal polysomnography. Diagnostic values of each test were calculated.

RESULTS

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome patients had significantly higher scores with both instruments than controls: morphometric model: 61.3 (95% CI: 45.5-75.3) vs. 41.0 (95% CI: 35.6-45.6); Sleep Apnea Clinical Score: 45.3 (95% CI: 39.5-40.3) vs. 36 (95% CI: 34.0-36.5), respectively. For severe cases, the best cutoff point for morphometric model was 46, with a sensitivity of 81% (95% CI: 62.5-92.6) and specificity of 46.7% (95% CI: 66.4-100), while for Sleep Apnea Clinical Score it was > 48, with a sensitivity of 61% (95% CI: 46.1-74.2) and specificity of 80.4% (95% CI: 66-90.6).

CONCLUSIONS

A morphometric model value of ≥ 46 or an adjusted neck circumference (Sleep Apnea Clinical Score) > 48 were adequate for diagnosing obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.