Testing of the Czech questionnaire for identifying children at risk of obstructive sleep apnea

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Sleep Medicine
• Clinical Psychology
• Medical Informatics

Background:

• Limited access to pediatric polysomnography in the Czech Republic necessitates accessible screening tools.
• Pediatric Obstructive Sleep Apnea (POSA) poses significant health risks to children.
• Early identification of POSA risk is crucial for timely intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a Czech-language questionnaire for screening pediatric obstructive sleep apnea (POSA) risk.
• To create a reliable and accessible tool for POSA risk assessment in the Czech Republic.
• To identify key factors associated with POSA risk in children.

Main Methods:

• Item compilation from existing English questionnaires and supplementation with novel items.
• Pilot testing and revision of the questionnaire based on parental feedback.
• Validation of the final 17-item SEN CZ questionnaire against home sleep apnea test results (AHI) in 71 children (7-12 years).

Main Results:

• The 17-item SEN CZ questionnaire demonstrated high reliability (93%), sensitivity (84%), and specificity (86%) in identifying POSA risk.
• Significant positive correlation found between SEN CZ scores and Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) (p < 0.001).
• Three key factors (breathing problems, inattention, hyperactivity) emerged as significant predictors of POSA risk.

Conclusions:

• The SEN CZ questionnaire is a reliable and valid tool for POSA risk screening in the Czech Republic.
• The questionnaire facilitates early detection of POSA risk without requiring medical professional involvement.
• The identified factors provide insights into the multifaceted nature of POSA risk in pediatric populations.