Rating Scales for Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome: The Importance of a Comprehensive Assessment

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is characterized by cyclical apnea states during sleep, caused by alterations in the dilatory muscles of the pharynx and tongue. It is an underestimated and underappreciated disorder, which can affect a person's health and quality of life, as well as trigger the onset of several other systemic diseases. Patients diagnosed with OSAS present with clinical pictures that are not always easy to distinguish and may be associated with multiple comorbidities. This heterogeneity makes early diagnosis difficult and complicates not only the resolution of sleep apnea but also the balancing of clinical priorities. Various OSAS assessment and classification scales exist in the literature, as early diagnosis is essential for more effective treatment. This narrative review article reviews the assessment scales for OSAS and briefly discusses the pathologies that may be encountered in the presence of this syndrome. Early detection of OSAS not only means early clinical intervention but also means preventing pre-existing pathologies from worsening.