PURPOSE: This study was conducted to evaluate the reliability and validity of Arabic version of Berlin questionnaire (ABQ) in detection of OSA at risk patients. METHODS: After hospital ethics approval and formal patients consent, 100 patients were subjected to full night PSG study after their response to the developed Arabic version of Berlin questionnaire. The patients were classified into both low (30) and high risk (70) for OSA using ABQ and validated against apnea-hypopnea index (AHI). Reliability was assessed by internal consistency using Chronbach's alpha test and consistency over time using test re-test correlation. RESULTS: The study demonstrated a high degree of internal consistency and stability overtime for the developed ABQ. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient for the 10-item tool was 0.92. Validation of ABQ against AHI at cutoff >5 revealed a sensitivity of 97 %, specificity of 90 %, positive and negative predictive values of 96 and 93 % respectively CONCLUSIONS: The Arabic version of Berlin questionnaire is reliable and valid scale in screening patients for the risk of OSA among Arabic speaking nations especially in resource limited settings. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: The Arabic version of Berlin questionnaire is Simple, save available, self evaluation and low cost scale in screening patients for the risk of OSA among Arabic speaking nations especially in resource limited settings.

Saleh, A., et al. (2011). "Development of arabic version of berlin questionnaire to identify obstructive sleep apnea at risk patients." Chest 140(4)

http://dx.doi.org/10.1378/chest.1112109