Journal of Sleep Disorders & Therapy
Open Access

Abstract

Patient versus Domestic Partner Epworth Sleepiness Scale and Polysomnography Results

Jeffrey Stanley*

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a disorder that affects 2% to 4% of the adult population. Excessive daytime sleepiness is considered a cardinal manifestation of OSA. The Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) is a commonly used instrument to assess subjective daytime sleepiness. It has been found that patients with higher ESS scores should be suspected of having obstructive sleep apnea. It was hypothesized that the results of the Epworth Sleepiness Scale completed by a domestic partner would be at least or possibly more accurate in predicting which patients truly have underlying obstructive sleep apnea. This study found that the results of patient self-reported ESS were well correlated with their domestic partners assessment. In addition, ESS scores were found to be correlated with several key PSG measures of OSA, including measures of disease severity. The results of the current study provide support for use of both a patient’s and domestic proxy’s Epworth Sleepiness Scale in the evaluation of suspected obstructive sleep apnea.

Published Date: 2024-06-10; Received Date: 2024-05-10