Combination of STOP-Bang score with the Mallampati score fails to improve specificity in the prediction of sleep-disordered breathing.

BACKGROUND: Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) is closely associated with perioperative complications. STOP-Bang score was validated for preoperative screening of SDB. However, STOP-Bang Score lacks adequately high specificity. We aimed to improve it by combining it with the Mallampati Score. METHODS: The study included 347 patients, in which we assessed both STOP-Bang and Mallampati scores. Overnight oxygen saturation was measured to calculate ODI4%. We calculated the sensitivity and specificity for AHI and ODI4% of both scores separately and in combination. RESULTS: We found that STOP-Bang Score >= 3 was present in 71%, ODI >= 5/h (AHI >= 5/h) in 42.6% (39.3%) and ODI >= 15/h (AHI >= 15/h) in 13.5% (17.8%). For ODI4%>= 5/h (AHI >= 5/h) we observed in men a response rate for sensitivity and specificity of STOP-Bang of 94.5% and 17.1% (90.9% and 12.5%) and in women 66% and 51% (57.8% and 46.9%). For ODI4%>= 15/h (AHI >= 15/h) it was 92% and 12% (84.6% and 10.3%) and 93% and 49% (75% and 49.2%). For ODI4%>= 5 (AHI >= 5) sensitivity and specificity of Mallampati score were in men 38.4% and 78.6% (27.3% and 68.2%) and in women 25% and 82.7% (21.9% and 81.3%), for ODI >= 15 (AHI >= 15/h) 38.5% and 71.8% (26.9% and 69.2%) and 33.3% and 81.4% (17.9% and 79.6%). In combination, for ODI4%>= 15/h, we found sensitivity in men to be 92.3% and in women 93.3%, specificity 10.3% and 41.4%. CONCLUSIONS: STOP-Bang Score combined with Mallampati Score fails to increase specificity. Low specificity should be considered when using both scores for preoperative screening of SDB.