Sleep disordered breathing in children - Diagnostic questionnaires, comparative analysis

Study objectives: The purpose of this work is to present available questionnaires enabling diagnostic screening when obstructive sleep disordered breathing (SDB) in a child is suspected or its effects are observed and polysomnography is unavailable. These questionnaires are designed to facilitate further diagnostic process or even therapeutic decisions, aid in selecting the optimal one for the specified conditions of clinical practice, with the caveat that none of these represents a diagnostic equivalent to PSG.

Methods: The questionnaires subjected to analysis: Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire (PSQ), Sleep Clinical Record (SCR), OSA-18 score (OSA-18), Brouilette score (BS), "I'm Sleepy" questionnaire (I'M SLEEPY), and "Sleeping Sleepless Sleepy Disturbed Rest" questionnaire (SSSDR). The comparative analysis of questionnaires included the following parameters: simplicity and time of administer; necessity to engage a physician or other trained individual; taking into account examination of the patient; type and scope of considered symptoms and consequences of obstructive SDB, sensitivity, specificity, recommendations of the guidelines.

Results: Seven questionnaires were subjected to analysis with presentation of their similarities and differences. Six out of seven were evaluated as simple in administration. Time required to fulfill the questionnaires ranged between 1 and 60 min. Three of them involved a physician or a trained personnel. Physical examination was necessary in two out of seven questionnaires. Sensitivity was estimated in 5 of them and ranged between 59 and 96%. Specificity ranged between 46 and 72%.

Conclusions: Several questionnaires enabling quick, simple, and inexpensive screening for OSAS have been created. Four (of the seven analyzed) questionnaires may be useful in diagnosis of obstructive SDB in children - two follow current (2015) recommendations. However, there is a need for further work on optimizing such tools, particularly on improving their specificity.