referral criteria to a sleep study if obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome in an adult

Last reviewed 12/2022

indications for referral to a sleep study in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome

The following are indicators for referral to a sleep study:

• symptoms of excessive sleepiness or an Epworth sleepiness score of >=11*
  
  
• recurrent witnessed apnoeas
  
  
• nocturnal choking, gasping, or 'dyspnoea'
  
  
• headache in the morning
  
  
• unrefreshing sleep despite adequate sleep time and continuity
  
  
• near miss events or incidents caused by reduced vigilance while driving*
  
  
• screening before bariatric surgery or upper airway surgery for snoring
  
  
• otherwise unexplained polycythaemia, pulmonary hypertension, or ventilatory failure

*urgent referral is necessary if the Epworth sleepiness score is >18 or the patient has had a road traffic incident or near miss event

Reference:

• (1) Greenstone M, Hack M. Obstructive sleep apnoea. BMJ. 2014;348:g3745