Journal of Sleep Disorders & Therapy
Open Access

Department of Epidemiology, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland

Biography

Dr. Akke Vellinga is an epidemiologist. She started working for the NUI Galway in 2005 and holds a senior lectureship in the School of Medicine. She holds a PhD in Medicine (Epidemiology), a Master in Epidemiology, MSC, BSc and Diploma in Health Economics, HDip Ed and Certificate in Learning and Teaching in Higher Education.

Publications

• Research Article   
  Improving the identification and triage of patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea who require treatment: The Merlin tool for high risk populations
  Author(s): Andrew Scott*, Akke Vellinga, Miriam Geehan, Mohammad Ahmed, Eithne Mulloy and John Joseph Gilmartin
  
  Aims and objectives: A number of validated questionnaires are routinely used to screen specific populations for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) including the STOP, STOP-Bang, Berlin and Epworth sleepiness scales. These questionnaires depend on subjective questions which cannot be independently confirmed. The subjective questions also result in high sensitivity and low specificity as they are generally resulting from OSA. The aim of the study was to identify verifiable and independently measurable risk factors and increase specificity to limit the number of polysomnography evaluations (PE) and lower healthcare cost. Methods: A retrospective data collection of patients (N=164) enrolled for PE was performed which included the results of STOP, STOP Bang, Berlin and Epworth questionnaires as well as demographic and health related variables. OSA was d.. View More»
  DOI: 10.35248/2167-0277.20.9.313

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