STOP-BANG Calculator

The STOP-BANG questionnaire evaluates eight yes-or-no parameters, where each affirmative answer contributes 1 point to your total aggregate score. The criteria are divided into components: Snoring, Tiredness, Observed apnea, high Blood Pressure, Body Mass Index (BMI greater than 35 kg/m²), Age (over 50 years), Neck circumference (greater than 40 cm or 15.7 inches), and Gender (male). The final score is calculated as a direct sum: Result = Snoring + Tiredness + Observed + Pressure + BMI + Age + Neck + Gender. Scores ranging from 0 to 2 indicate a low risk of OSA, 3 to 4 indicate intermediate risk, and 5 to 8 point toward a high risk requiring formal diagnostic evaluation.

Consider a 52-year-old male patient who reports loud nightly snoring and chronic daytime fatigue. His biometric evaluation reveals a body mass index of 36 kg/m² and a neck circumference of 42 cm. His medical record indicates treated hypertension, and his partner has observed him choking or stopping breathing during sleep. Let us sum his score: Snoring (1) + Tiredness (1) + Observed apnea (1) + High blood pressure (1) + BMI over 35 (1) + Age over 50 (1) + Large neck circumference (1) + Male gender (1). Total STOP-BANG Result = 8 out of 8. This maximum score strongly signals a high risk for severe obstructive sleep apnea, prompting an immediate referral for a professional sleep study.

When recording your measurements for this assessment, ensure your neck circumference is accurately measured just below the larynx with a flexible tape measure. For the BMI evaluation, double-check your height and weight inputs to guarantee precision. Keep in mind that while this tool provides reliable risk stratification, it serves as a preliminary screening mechanism and cannot replace an official polysomnography or consultation with a certified sleep specialist.