STOP-BANG Sleep Apnea Screening

The STOP-BANG Sleep Apnea Screening form implements the validated STOP-BANG questionnaire, one of the most widely used and evidence-based screening instruments for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The acronym represents eight risk factors: Snoring loudly, feeling Tired or sleepy during the day, Observed apneas during sleep, high blood Pressure, BMI over 35, Age over 50, Neck circumference over 16 inches, and male Gender. Each item is scored as yes or no, producing a total score from 0 to 8.

The digital version automatically calculates the total score and stratifies patients into risk categories: low risk (0-2), intermediate risk (3-4), and high risk (5-8) for obstructive sleep apnea. High-risk patients are flagged for referral to sleep medicine for diagnostic polysomnography or home sleep apnea testing. The form also captures supplementary clinical data including Epworth Sleepiness Scale score if available, relevant comorbidities such as atrial fibrillation and type 2 diabetes, and current medications that may affect sleep architecture.

This template is critical for pre-operative anesthesia clinics, where undiagnosed OSA significantly increases perioperative risk, as well as primary care practices, cardiology offices managing hypertension and atrial fibrillation, and endocrinology clinics treating obesity and metabolic syndrome. The STOP-BANG questionnaire is endorsed by the American Society of Anesthesiologists and the American Academy of Sleep Medicine as a first-line screening tool. Its simplicity and high sensitivity make it ideal for high-volume clinical settings where rapid risk stratification is essential.