Abstract

BROCKMANN V, PABLO; HOLMGREN P, NILS; SALINAS M, PAMELA  and  PRADO A, FRANCISCO. Usefulness of a clinical questionnaire for diagnosis of respiratory disorders of sleep in children with neuromuscular diseases. Rev. chil. pediatr. [online]. 2011, vol.82, n.4, pp. 319-328. ISSN 0370-4106.  http://dx.doi.org/10.4067/S0370-41062011000400006.

Objectives: To analyze the usefulness of a clinical questionnaire for the diagnosis of sleep disordered breathing in children with neuromuscular diseases. Patients and Methods: A sleep questionnaire and a polysom-nography were performed in a cohort of 21 children (14 boys) with neuromuscular diseases. ROC analysis was used to assess the diagnostic accuracy of the questionnaire for diagnosing sleep disordered breathing compared with polysomnography. Results: Median age was 10.7 years (2-17). According to polysomnography, 8 patients were classified as normal, 3 had primary snoring, 5 had central sleep apnea syndrome and 5 an obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. Eleven questionnaire's scores suggested sleep disordered breathing. The questionnaire's score showed a sensitivity of 75%, specificity of 60%, positive predictive value of 33% and negative predictive value of 90% for the diagnosis of an obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. The same figure for the diagnosis of a central sleep apnea syndrome was 80%, 64%, 44% and 90%. Conclusions: The questionnaire showed a moderate sensitivity and specificity. Nevertheless, the high negative predictive value of the questionnaire may support its use for screening of sleep disordered breathing. A follow-up of questionnaire's scores may identify patients, who would benefit from performance of polysomnography.

Keywords : Sleep; obstructive sleep apnea; neuromuscular; hypoventilation.