Guideline 73 - Supporting Material

Management of obstructive sleep apnoea/hypopnoea syndrome in adults

Sample sleep habit questionnaire

Key points to record during taking of history and clinical examination

History

Sleepy patients and their partners should be sent questionnaires about their sleep habits and key symptoms to complete prior to their initial consultation with a specialist. The topics covered should include the following:

• sleep duration and quality
  • normal bed or lights out time on working days/ weekends
  • usual length of time taken to fall asleep
  • subjective assessment of sleep quality
  • time of final awakening on working days and weekends
  • number and duration of awakenings throughout the night
  • cause of nocturnal awakenings
• shift working (pattern and timing)
• duration of symptoms
  • age of onset
  • progression of symptoms
  • severity of symptoms
• associated symptoms
  • snoring (frequency, severity,position)
• witnessed apnoeas
• nocturnal choking
• unrefreshing sleep
• cataplexy
• sleep paralysis
• hallucinations occurring at sleep onset or on awakening
• witnessed recurrent limb movements during sleep
• predisposing Factors
• weight gain
• quantity of alcohol consumed
• smoking history
• family history of OSA/narcolepsy
• psychological/psychiatric history
• drug history (prescribed / bought over the counter)
• severity of sleepiness
  • Epworth Score (patient and partner - completed independently)
  • frequency and consequences of sleepiness -
    • at work
    • driving
    • in embarrassing social situations (e.g. meetings)
• effect on work performance and ability to concentrate

Clinical examination

• height
• weight
• BMI
• facial / jaw appearance or symmetry
• nasal blockage
• tongue size /appearance
• uvula appearance
• tonsil size
• dentition/ Teeth presence or absence
• collar size
• routine cardiovascular/respiratory examination