STOPBANG

STOP-BANG is a validated screening questionnaire used to identify individuals at risk for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). While commonly employed in preoperative clinics to guide perioperative management, it is also used in general care to determine who should undergo further sleep testing.

The questionnaire consists of eight yes/no questions assessing Snoring, Tiredness, Observed apnea, high blood Pressure (the STOP components), and Body mass index over 35 kg/m2, Age over 50, Neck circumference over 40 cm, and Male gender (the BANG components). Each affirmative answer scores 1 point, yielding a total score from 0 to 8.

Interpretation typically follows these general guidelines, though exact thresholds may vary by population: a score of 3 or more indicates high risk for OSA in many settings, with higher scores (for example, 5 or more) suggesting a greater likelihood of moderate-to-severe OSA. The STOP-BANG approach is characterized by high sensitivity for detecting at least moderate OSA, but specificity tends to be moderate and variable across populations.

Usage and limitations: STOP-BANG is a screen, not a diagnostic tool. A high score flags individuals who should undergo objective testing, such as polysomnography or home sleep apnea testing, and may inform perioperative planning. Limitations include the potential for false positives, particularly in obese or elderly patients, and the influence of subjective reporting. Variants and translations exist, but all rely on the same eight items to estimate OSA risk.