STOP-Bang Questionnaire Performance for Sleep Apnea Screening: Global Meta-Analysis
How Accurate Is the STOP-Bang Questionnaire for Screening Sleep Apnea?
The STOP-Bang questionnaire demonstrates excellent performance for screening obstructive sleep apnea across diverse global populations, this comprehensive meta-analysis reveals. Analyzing data from over 40,000 participants across multiple countries, the study found that STOP-Bang scores ≥3 have 90% sensitivity for detecting moderate to severe OSA (AHI ≥15), while scores ≥5 have 95% sensitivity for severe OSA (AHI ≥30). The questionnaire’s high sensitivity makes it particularly valuable for ruling out sleep apnea, with negative predictive values exceeding 85% in most populations. Performance remains consistent across different geographic regions, age groups, and clinical settings, making STOP-Bang a reliable first-line screening tool for identifying patients who need sleep studies.