• Janannii Selvanathan, Rida Waseem, Philip Peng, Jean Wong, Clodagh M Ryan, and Frances Chung.
• Department of Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
• Reg Anesth Pain Med. 2021 Oct 1; 46 (10): 886-891.

BackgroundThere is an increased risk of sleep apnea in patients using opioids for chronic pain. We hypothesized that a simple model comprizing of: (1) STOP-Bang questionnaire and resting daytime oxyhemoglobin saturation (SpO2); and (2) overnight oximetry will identify those at risk of moderate-to-severe sleep apnea in patients with chronic pain.MethodAdults on opioids for chronic pain were recruited from pain clinics. Participants completed the STOP-Bang questionnaire, resting daytime SpO2, and in-laboratory polysomnography. Overnight oximetry was performed at home to derive the Oxygen Desaturation Index. A STOP-Bang score ≥3 or resting daytime SpO2 ≤95% were used as thresholds for the first step, and for those identified at risk, overnight oximetry was used for further screening. The Oxygen Desaturation Index from overnight oximetry was validated against the Apnea-Hypopnea Index (≥15 events/hour) from polysomnography.ResultsOf 199 participants (52.5±12.8 years, 58% women), 159 (79.9%) had a STOP-Bang score ≥3 or resting SpO2 ≤95% and entered the second step (overnight oximetry). Using an Oxygen Desaturation Index ≥5 events/hour, the model had a sensitivity of 86.4% and specificity of 52% for identifying moderate-to-severe sleep apnea. The number of participants who would require diagnostic sleep studies was decreased by 38% from Step 1 to Step 2 of the model.ConclusionA simple model using STOP-Bang questionnaire and resting daytime SpO2, followed by overnight oximetry, can identify those at high risk of moderate-to-severe sleep apnea in patients using opioids for chronic pain.Trial Registration NumberNCT02513836.© American Society of Regional Anesthesia & Pain Medicine 2021. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.

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