Sleep Medicine
Risk Factors Checklist
Total Score
0
Low Risk
Clinical Guidance
Low probability of obstructive sleep apnea based on current screening criteria.
Thresholds
0-2 PointsLow Risk
3-4 PointsIntermediate Risk
5-8 PointsHigh Risk
Guidelines & Evidence
Verified
Last Review: 2026-07-17
When to Use
When to Use
Screening for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) in adult populations.
Pre-operative assessment to identify patients at high risk for perioperative respiratory complications.
General medicine screening for patients with hypertension or obesity and daytime sleepiness.
How it Works
The Questionnaire
| Snoring | Do you snore loudly? |
| Tired | Do you often feel tired, fatigued, or sleepy during the daytime? |
| Observed | Has anyone observed you stop breathing or choking/gasping during sleep? |
| Pressure | Do you have or are you being treated for high blood pressure? |
| BMI | Body Mass Index > 35 kg/m² |
| Age | Age > 50 years old |
| Neck | Neck circumference > 40 cm (16 inches) |
| Gender | Gender = Male |
Interpretation
| Low Risk (0-2) | Probability of moderate-to-severe OSA is low. |
| Intermediate Risk (3-4) | Moderate probability of OSA. |
| High Risk (5-8) | High probability of moderate-to-severe OSA. |
The Evidence
Primary Reference
STOP-BANG Questionnaire: A Tool to Screen Patients for Obstructive Sleep Apnea.
Chung F et al. • Anesthesiology.. 2008;108(5):812-821. Original development and validation.
Last Comprehensive Review: 2026-07-17