Objectives: This study aims to assess the reliability of SleepStrip as a screening test in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS).
Patients and methods: Seventy-two patients (50 males, 22 females; mean age 51.4±11.1 years; range 20 to 74 years) with OSAS were included in this prospective, non-randomized double-blinded single cohort study between May 2008 and February 2009. Patients who underwent an attended overnight polysomnography (PSG) and consented to participate in the study were asked to use SleepStrip device within the week following PSG recording. The apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) was compared with the SleepStrip score (Sscore).
Results: The mean body mass index of patients was 31.1±4.3. Both AHI and Sscore were obtained in 64 patients. There was a strong correlation between Sscore and AHI (r=0.76, p<0.001). The sensitivity and specificity of the SleepStrip were 94.4% and 93.5% when used to diagnose cases with AHI = or >40. The sensitivity and specificity of the SleepStrip was reduced to 80% and 87.2% when AHI threshold was chosen as = or >25 and 83.3% and 76.5% for AHI = or >15 respectively.
Conclusion: There is a strong correlation between SleepStrip and AHI. SleepStrip was found to be effective in diagnosing severe OSAS with AHI = or >40, however, its diagnostic capability was reduced in patients with lower AHI's who constitute the main target of screening.