Correlation of different sleep apnea scores with polysomnographic study in patients with acute stroke and transient ischemic attack

To study correlation between different sleep apnea scores and polysomnographic study in patients with acute stroke and transient ischemic attack (TIA). Obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) is a common disorder affecting general population. There is increase in cardiovascular and stroke risk in patients with untreated OSAHS. Frequency of OSAHS in acute stroke patients appears much higher, reaching almost 70%. Screening of OSAHS requires careful sleep history which may include preformed questionnaire. The objective of the study was to study correlation between different sleep apnea scores and polysomnographic study in patients with acute stroke/TIA. 50 patients of acute ischemic stroke/TIA presenting to Sir Ganga Ram Hospital were enrolled in the study. Patients were subjected to clinical data collection, neurological examination, laboratory assessment, brain imaging, sleep apnea scoring using STOP questionnaire, STOP Bang questionnaire and SOS score (Sleep apnea score optimized for stroke) and polysomnography (class I sleep study). Prevalence of OSAHS (defined as AHI = 5) was 30%. Out of 50 patients 4% had mild OSAHS, 8% had moderate OSAHS and 18% had severe OSAHS. Hypertension was most frequent comorbidity in our study. There was significant association between positive STOP questionnaire, SOS score and AHI index (=5). p value was <0.001 for both. For STOP Bang questionnaire and AHI index (=5) p value was 0.067 suggesting no association. Prevalence of OSAHS is quite high (30%) among stroke patients. STOP questionnaire and SOS score should be used for sleep apnea prediction in stroke patients.