The Epworth Sleepiness Scale may not reflect objective measures of sleepiness or sleep apnea

Abstract

Our data suggest that the subjectively derived ES cannot be used as a surrogate for the objectively determined MSL.

Association between sleep‐disordered breathing, sleep–wake pattern, and cognitive impairment among patients with chronic heart failure

“…the Multiple Sleep Latency Test) could therefore be a more valid measure. 41 Mild and severe global cognitive impairment, as measured with the MMSE, was found in 18% and 4% of the total sample, respectively, but no differences were identified between those with and without SDB. Neither did measurements of psychomotor speed, executive functions, visual -spatial perception/construct and memory, semantic and episodic memory, and spatial abilities differ between the two groups.…”

Sleep disorders in spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (Kennedy’s disease): a controlled polysomnographic and self-reported questionnaires study

“…Furthermore, subjective evaluation of diurnal sleepiness showed a significant higher score of ESS without reaching pathological levels in SBMA patients, confirming the poor reliability of this scale with MSLT in OSA and neuromuscular disorders [5,14,15].…”

Sleep Disorders in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People and Residents of Regional and Remote Australia

“…Additionally, male subjective sleepiness differs from that of females in the non-indigenous people and it is critical to understand whether this is the same or different in Indigenous Australians. [23][24][25][26] Rather than use an unvalidated tool, the priority should therefore be to develop and validate an appropriate screening tool for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Given the significant existing uptake of the ESS, it is nonetheless likely the utility and utilization of an appropriate and validated tool will be high.…”

“…6 A report by the Sleep Health Foundation estimated the prevalence of OSA in Australia in 2010 was 4.7% or approximately 750,000 Australians. 1 A recent Australian community cohort study reported an OSA (AHI ≥ 10) prevalence of 53% in males age 40 y or older, and a moderate (AHI [20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29] to severe (AHI ≥ 30) OSA prevalence of 26%. 7 Comparable studies of indigenous peoples from New Zealand 8 and Canada 9 reported a Māori OSA prevalence of 14% (RDI ≥ 5), 11% (RDI ≥ 10) and 6% (RDI ≥ 15), and American Indian OSA prevalence of 33% (AHI [5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14] and 23% (AHI ≥ 15).…”