Rationale:
The Berlin Questionnaire is a beneficial screening tool for the probability of obstructive
sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) risk. However, its original version is not suitable for
elderly persons due to the inapplicability of several questionnaire items and may
need adjustments.
Methods:
Within the International Geriatric Sleep Medicine Task Force the original version
of the Berlin Questionnaire was critically discussed. Four items were found to be
unsuitable for the assessment of sleep apnea in geriatric patients and were changed
accordingly: Weight change and moderate obesity don't play a major role in the elderly
as OSAS risk factor. Because of reduced automobile use in elderly > 75yrs, the falling
asleep while driving question is inappropriate. Presence of daytime high blood pressure
alone in the elderly is no specific risk factor for SAS, high blood pressure peaks
in the morning might well be.
Results:
Weight gain is excluded from the scoring system, but calculations of the BMI still
remain in the section of anthropometric data now without scoring for risk. Category
1 (snoring/apneas) remains unchanged. In category 2 (excessive daytimes sleepiness)
the question determining how many times the patient nods off while driving a vehicle
is replaced. Instead, sleepiness during communicational involvement, e.g., talking
to friends and relatives or while playing with grandchildren is assessed. Category
3 (comorbidities) now consists of two new questions asking for high blood pressure
in the morning and presence of nocturia. The scoring within all three categories and
for overall risk remains unchanged.
Conclusion:
The new geriatric version of the Berlin Questionnaire is adapted for geriatric assessment.
A validation study has started.
