Serum Bicarbonate Level Improves Specificity of STOP-Bang Screening for Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Serum HCO3− level increases the specificity of STOP-Bang screening in predicting moderate/severe OSA. We propose a two-step screening process. The first step uses a STOP-Bang score to screen patients, and the second step uses serum HCO3− level in those with a STOP-Bang score ≥ 3 for increased specificity.