The role of history, Epworth Sleepiness Scale Score and body mass index in identifying non-apnoeic snorers

Seventy-one adults referred with snoring over a 9-month period were assessed and their apnoeic-status determined by clinical assessment using symptoms suggestive of the obstructive sleep apnoea-hypopnoea syndrome, the Epworth Sleepiness Scale score (ESS) and body mass index (BMI). The results of clinical assessment were compared to that of overnight six-channel polysomnography where snoring noise level, pulse rate, capillary oxygen saturation, breathing effort, oronasal airflow and body position were monitored. Polysomnography detected an apnoea-hypopnoea index (AHI) of < 15 episodes/h in 61(86%) patients and an AHI of greater than or equal to 15 episodes/h in 10 (14%) patients. Clinical assessment alone identified 57 patients with AHI of < 15 episodes/h as 'non-apnoeic snorers' and six patients with AHI of greater than or equal to 15 episodes/h as 'apnoeic snorers'. The sensitivity of this method of clinical assessment in identifying the 'non-apnoeic snorers' from amongst patients referred with snoring was 93.4% and its specificity was 60% (P < 0.001).