Abstract
Introduction
The currently available questionnaires based on parental reporting of OSA symptoms include large number of items and are not sufficient to the diagnosis and assessment of OSA severity. We aimed to evaluate a simple 2-item questionnaire regarding parental concern as a predictor of the severity of OSA in children as measured by polysomnography.
Methods
Prospective analysis of parental concern regarding their children referred for PSG due to suspected OSA. Parents of all study children completed the brief Parental Concern Scale (PCS) questionnaire and the validated Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire-Sleep-Related Breathing Disorder questionnaire (PSQ-SRBD). The PCS consisted of 1 question on the need for surgery and 1 question on concerns about the child’s breathing.
Results
Ninety-five children (mean age 4.2 ± 2.5 years, 52% males, mean body mass index z score 0.45 ± 1.8) were recruited. Twenty-three children (24%) had moderate-severe OSA and were referred for adenotonsillectomy. Significant correlations were found between the need for surgery score and the apnea-hypopnea index (r=0.22, P = .029), as well as the mean SpO2 levels (r=-0.24, P = .02). The likelihood for the diagnosis of moderate-severe OSA by PSG increased as parental ranking for the need for surgery increased (P = .003). The need for surgery score and the child’s age were the only predictors for moderate-severe OSA (P = .01 and P = .043, respectively).
Conclusion
Querying parents on their perception of their child’s need for surgery is a sensitive, practical, and easy-to-use tool that can help the clinician in prioritizing referral to PSG.
Support
Neck Circumference-Height Ratio as a Predictor of Sleep Related Breathing Disorder in Children and Adults
