Screening commercial drivers for obstructive sleep apnea: translation and validation of Serbian version of Berlin Questionnaire

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) can lead to severe health consequences. Drivers of motor vehicles with untreated or undiagnosed OSA have a greater risk of traffic accidents. Use of self-reported questionnaires is the first step in OSA diagnosis. The main aim of this study was to perform the translation and validation of Berlin Questionnaire in a sample of commercial drivers.

After formal translation, validation was performed on a sample of commercial drivers and included evaluation of internal consistency, test–retest reliability, construct and criterion validity. Full-night attended polysomnography or cardiorespiratory polygraphy was used for OSA diagnosis.

One hundred male participants, 24–62 years old, were included. Berlin Questionnaire classified 35 % subjects as potential OSA patients. Polysomnography confirmed OSA in 58 % of the subjects. Berlin Questionnaire showed good internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha 0.82—first category, 0.73–0.95—second category). Test–retest reliability (Cohen’s kappa 0.78) was adequate. Berlin score was significantly correlated with OSA category and apnea–hypopnea index (AHI). Sensitivity of Berlin Questionnaire was from 50.9 (AHI ≥ 5) to 75 % (AHI ≥ 30), while specificity ranged from 86 to 70.5 %.

Berlin Questionnaire (Serbian version) showed good measurement properties, creating basis for further research of its usefulness as OSA screening tool in populations of interest.