Table 1 “Questionnaire distributed to the participating Italian general practitioners (GPs)”
1. What is the definition commonly used for OSAHS? | A) Daytime sleepiness associated with irregular breathing at night |
B) Episodes of paroxysmal dyspnea caused by obstruction of the upper and lower respiratory tract | |
C) Obstructive Sleep apnea induced by gastroesophageal reflux | |
D) Obstructive Sleep Apnea induced by persistent rhinitis characterized by nasal obstruction | |
E) Obstructive Sleep Apnea induced by nocturnal asthmatic attack | |
2. In the western countries, which is the males prevalence of OSAHS ? | A) 2% |
B) 4% | |
C) 8% | |
D) 10% | |
3. In the western countries, which is the females prevalence of OSAHS? | A) 2% |
B) 4% | |
C) 8% | |
D) 10% | |
4. Among your patients, how many have a diagnosis of OSAHS? | A) No one |
B) 0–5 | |
C) 5–10 | |
D) >10 | |
5. The number of OSAHS patients in recent years has been: | A) Stationary |
B) In growth | |
C) In reduction | |
D) Do not know | |
6. OSAHS episodes of apnea/hypopnea can be of type: | A) Obstructive |
B) Central | |
C) Mixed | |
D) All of the above | |
E) Restrictive | |
7. Is it true that obese people present a higher risk of developing OSAHS? | A) Yes |
B) No | |
C) Yes, but only women and children | |
D) Yes, but also normal weight individuals can be affected | |
8. What is the prevalence of OSAHS in the hypertensive patients? | A) <5% |
B) Between 10 and 20% | |
C) Between 20-40% | |
D) > 50% | |
9. Do you think that OSAHS should be considered an independent cardiovascular risk factor? | A) Yes |
B) No | |
C) I don’t know | |
10. Are you aware of the questionnaire referred to as “Epworth Sleepiness Scale”? | A) Yes, I use it in my professional activity |
B) Yes, but do not use it | |
C) No, I do not know | |
11. In the suspected diagnosis of OSAHS, what is the specialist that you turn more often in the first place? | A) ENT Specialist |
B) Pulmonologist | |
C) Allergist | |
D) Internist | |
E) Multidisciplinary Team | |
F) Speech Therapist | |
G) Psychologist/Psychiatrist | |
12. When accessing the specialist’s assessment, which are the main problems you encounter? | A) Waiting time |
B) Costs | |
C) Communication with the specialist | |
D) Degree of belief of the patient | |
13. Which exam do you see as the most crucial for an accurate diagnosis of OSAHS ? | A) Spirometry |
B) Maxilo-facial CT | |
C) Determination of nocturnal oximetry in continuous | |
D) Polysomnography | |
E) EEG | |
F) ECG Holter with integrated pressure arterial Holter | |
14. What is the OSAHS treatment of choice? | A) Nasal septum plastic intervention |
B) Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) | |
C) Treatment with topical nasal steroids | |
D) Topical association therapy with bronchial Long Acting Bronchodilators (LABAs) and steroids (iCSs) | |
E) Nocturnal Oxygen continuous | |
F) C-PAP | |
G) Intraoral Orthodontic Devices | |
H) Sleeping pharmacological agent (like benzodiazepines) | |
I) Psychological approach | |
L) Yoga | |
15. When C-PAP is prescribed, patient reaction to the treatment is predominantly of : | A) Total refusal |
B) Total adherence | |
C) Lack of acceptance | |
16. Who primarily has the responsibility of educating and supporting the patient in correcting and adjusting the C-PAP?” | A) GP |
B) Specialist | |
C) Nurse | |
D) Respiratory Physiotherapist |