Is neck grasp a reliable screening tool for obstructive sleep apnea?

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Determining patients at high risk for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) via screening tools is important as undiagnosed OSA is associated with significant morbidities. The present study is aimed to determine the usefulness of easy sleep apnea predictor (ESAP) as a diagnostic tool for OSA. METHODS: In this retrospective study, ESAP positivity was defined as the inability of the patients to wrap their necks with their own hands. The demographic, antropometric parameters, and polysomnographic values were compared between ESAP(+) and (−) groups. RESULTS: The overall 287 OSA patients (47% severe) participated in this study. Patients in the ESAP(+) group (56.4%) showed higher rates of obesity and concomitant disease and also had increased neck, waist, and hip circumference, as well as more severe OSA (p