STOP-BANG Score (Obstructive Sleep Apnoea)
Screens for obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) using 8 dichotomous questions. High risk guides polysomnography referral and perioperative planning.
Score interpretation
→ Low risk; reassure; advise weight loss if BMI elevated; rescreening if symptoms change
→ Sleep study referral; Epworth Sleepiness Scale; ENT review; lifestyle advice (weight, alcohol, position)
→ Urgent polysomnography; CPAP initiation if confirmed; perioperative precautions; driving advice (DVLA: OSA causing excessive sleepiness — must not drive until symptoms are controlled; the DVLA rule uses sleepiness, not an Epworth cut-off)
Interpretation bands for the STOP-BANG. Apply clinical judgement and local guidance.
References
Related
Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.
- Daridorexant · Sleep Disorders
- Melatonin (Paediatric — Sleep Disorders) · Melatonin Receptor Agonist / Chronobiotic
- Tetrabenazine · VMAT2 Inhibitor — Hyperkinetic Movement Disorders
- Edaravone · Rare Neurological Disorders
- Ataluren · Read-Through Agent (Premature Stop Codon Suppressor)
- Caffeine Citrate · Methylxanthine (Apnoea of Prematurity)
- Adult Upper Airway Obstruction (Stridor) · DAS 2015 unanticipated difficult airway; RCEM
- Epistaxis Management · ENT-UK / NICE
- Acute Otitis Media · NICE NG91 2018
- Tonsillitis and Sore Throat · NICE NG84 2018
- Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo · NICE CG124 / AAO-HNS Guidelines
- Acute Rhinosinusitis · NICE NG79 2017 / EPOS 2020
Decision support only — verify against a current formulary, NICE, or your local guideline before clinical use.
