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

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