Use of the Clinical Global Impression scale in sleep apnea patients – Results from the ESADA database

Abstract Objective/Background The Clinical Global Impressionscale (CGI) reflects the clinician's assessment of the disease impact on patient's global functioning. We assessed predictors of CGI scale rating in patients with obstructive sleep apnea(OSA). Patients/Methods Consecutive patients with suspected OSA (n = 7581) were identified in the European Sleep ApneaDatabase (ESADA). Anthropometrics, comorbidities, apneaseverity obtained by polygraphy or polysomnography, and daytime sleepiness [ Epworth Sleepiness Scale(ESS)] were assessed. The CGI 7-point scale was completed at the end of the diagnostic process (CGI-severity, ie, CGI-S) and, in a subpopulation, at treatment follow-up (CGI-Improvement). Results CGI-S was rated mild to moderate in 44% of patients. CGI rating at any given apneaintensity was worse in women than in men (p Conclusions CGI rating is confounded by gender, age class and the type of sleep diagnostic method. As OSA phenotypes differ, CGI may contribute as a clinical tool to reflect the significance of clinical disease.