Author’s response to Letter-to-the-editor regarding “Are the Epworth Sleepiness Scale and Stop-Bang Model effective at predicting the severity of obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA); in particular OSA requiring treatment?”

Excerpt

Many thanks for your response. Indeed, the classification of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) in our study deviates away from the standard criteria. However, we aimed to look at how well the Stop-Bang Model and Epworth Sleepiness Scale could distinguish cases of OSA based on the level of intervention as opposed to severity. More importantly, we wanted to see whether the screening tools could highlight patients with OSA who required treatment. Thus, the Apnoea-Hypopnoea Index (AHI) thresholds use to define each group was based on those used to guide treatment of OSA within our hospital. It should be noted that the management of OSA is not only based on the severity, but also the effect that the condition has, and may have, on an individual’s quality of life [1‐3]. Consequently, not all patients who receive treatment will have severe OSA. Nonetheless, we agree that that given that there is little evidence with similar categorisation to compare with, further study is necessary to substantiate our findings. …