BASET scoring: A novel simple biometric score for screening and grading obstructive sleep apnea

Area of Science:

• Sleep Medicine
• Diagnostic Tools
• Respiratory Disorders

Background:

• Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a prevalent condition, significantly underdiagnosed due to limited Polysomnography (PSG) availability.
• A validated, simple diagnostic tool for primary care to predict and manage OSA is lacking, impacting clinical outcomes.
• Current screening methods have limitations in accuracy and accessibility for widespread OSA detection.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the diagnostic validity of the novel BASET scoring system for screening Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).
• To assess the BASET score's capability in grading the severity of OSA.
• To compare the predictive accuracy of the BASET score against established screening tools (Berlin and STOP-Bang).

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 144 subjects with suspected OSA underwent history taking, physical examination (including BASET components: BMI, Abdominal Circumference, Snoring, Epworth Sleepiness Scale, Tongue teeth imprint), and full-night PSG.
• Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis was employed to determine optimal cutoff points and compare the accuracy of BASET, Berlin, and STOP-Bang scores in predicting OSA.
• Internal consistency reliability of the BASET score components was assessed using Cronbach's alpha.

Main Results:

• The BASET score demonstrated high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.846) and a strong correlation with Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) (r=0.778, p<0.001).
• BASET score exhibited superior accuracy in predicting OSA (AUC=0.984) compared to STOP-Bang (AUC=0.939) and Berlin (AUC=0.901) scores.
• The BASET score was significantly associated with OSA severity grades (p<0.001), outperforming both Berlin and STOP-Bang scores in predictive accuracy.

Conclusions:

• The BASET score is a convenient, reliable, and valid tool for OSA diagnosis and severity grading.
• BASET score offers enhanced accuracy for OSA prediction compared to the Berlin and STOP-Bang scores.
• The BASET score's high validity and accuracy support its potential use in primary care for efficient OSA screening and management.