In the February 1999 edition of SLEEP our faculty Dr. A. A. El-Solh of ECMC, Drs. E. Ten Brock and D. Shucard of BGH and Drs. M.J. Mador and B.J.B. Grant of Buffalo VAMC published an article on the use of artifical intelligence for assessing pat ients suspected of having obstructive sleep apnea. The patient completes a questionnaire of twelve items from which an estimate can be made of the apnea-hypopnea index. This index is a measure of the severity of obstructive sleep apnea. Scores less than 5 /hour are normal, scores greater than 20/hour are abnormal. The system is 95% accurate. You can check yourself at http://bgrant.med.buffalo.edu/sleep/. If your score is high, check wit h your doctor. You will need an overnight sleep study to confirm the diagnosis before you can be treated for this condition. Sleep studies by university faculty are performed at the following locations:
Northwoods Sleep Apnea and Diagnosis and Treatment Center, (Drs. Aquilina and Magalang) 3950 East Robinson Road, Amherst, NY 14228, Telephone (716) 691-6283
Sleep Disorders Center of WNY, Millard Fillmore Hospital (Drs. Rifkin, Shucard and Ten Brock) Gates Circle, Buffalo, NY 14209, Telephone (716) 88-SLEEP
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