Sleep Subdomain of the Sinonasal Outcome Test as a Potential Screening Tool for Sleep Apnea in Chronic Rhinosinusitis

Abstract

Objectives: Approximately 20% of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) have comorbid obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Patients with undiagnosed OSA are at high risk for perioperative complications. The Sinonasal Outcomes Test (SNOT-22) Questionnaire is commonly administered to CRS patients, whereas OSA screening tools are less routinely employed. This study compared SNOT-22 sleep subdomain (Sleep-SNOT) scores among non-OSA CRS versus OSA-CRS patients undergoing ESS, and assessed sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy of the Sleep-SNOT for OSA screening.Methods: Retrospective review of patients that underwent endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) for CRS from 2012 to 2021. Patients either carried a reported OSA diagnosis and completed the SNOT-22, or had undocumented OSA status and completed both STOP-BANG and SNOT-22. Demographics, questionnaire scores, and OSA status were collected. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve assessed cutoff scores, sensitivity, and specificity of the Sleep-SNOT for OSA screening.Results: Of 600 patients reviewed, 109 were included. 41% had comorbid OSA. OSA patients had a higher BMI (32.1