German Version of the Epworth Sleepiness Scale

Abstract

Background: The Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) is a questionnaire widely used in English speaking countries for assessment of subjective daytime sleepiness. Objective: Our purpose was to translate and validate the ESS for use in German-speaking countries. Methods: A German translation of the ESS was administered to 159 healthy German-speaking Swiss and to 174 patients with various sleep disorders. Results: The mean ± SD of ESS scores in normals was 5.7 ± 3.0, in patients it was 13.0 ± 5.1 (p < 0.001). Scores were not correlated with age or gender but with the percentage of time spent at an oxygen saturation <90% (R = 0.35, p < 0.001), and the respiratory disturbance index (R = 0.26, p < 0.001) in primary snorers and sleep apnea patients. Item analysis confirmed internal consistency of the scale (Cronbach α = 0.60 in normals, and 0.83 in patients). Follow-up scores in 25 sleep apnea patients on treatment showed a reduction by 7 ± 5 points (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Our data validate the ESS for application in German-speaking populations. The simplicity, reliability and the apparent lack of relevant influences of language and cultural background on performance of the ESS makes it a valuable tool for clinical management and research.

Portuguese-language version of the Epworth sleepiness scale: validation for use in Brazil

“…For the 135 individuals assessed in the present study, the scores obtained on the ESS-BR showed internal consistency similar to that of translations validated elsewhere, (24)(25)(26)(27)(28) despite the cultural and language differences among the populations analyzed. Comparing the ESS-BR scores obtained in the present study with those obtained in studies applying the original ESS, we found the scores to be similar for the control and OSAHS groups.…”

“…(25)(26)(27)(28) In one study, (19) the ESS scores were significantly higher for patients with severe OSAHS than for those with mild or moderate OSAHS (p < 0.001), although no statistically significant difference was found between the mild and moderate forms. Unlike other validation studies, the present study evaluated only individuals submitted to polysomnography, which enhanced the stringency of the selection of the groups.…”

Is prospective memory related to depression and anxiety? A hierarchical MPT modelling approach

“…These questionnaires included, in order, a questionnaire on caffeine consumption, the short version of a questionnaire investigating achievement motivation (Leistungsmotivationsinventar-kurz; Schuler & Prochaska, 2001), and German versions of the following tests: Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence (Bleich, Havemann-Reinecke, & Kornhuber, 2002), the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (Bloch, Schoch, Zhang, & Russi, 1999), the Karolinska Sleepiness Scale (Åkerstedt & Gillberg, 1990), the Prospective and Retrospective Memory Questionnaire (Crawford, Henry, Ward, & Blake, 2006; German translation by Kaschel, 2002), the HADS-D (Herrmann et al, 1995), the BDI-II (Hautzinger et al, 2006), the STAI (Laux et al, 1981) and a translation of the passionate love scale (Hatfield & Sprecher, 1986). For the present study, we will report the results of the BDI-II, HADS-D and STAI only.…”

Effects of long-term continuous positive airway pressure on body composition and IGF1

“…Prior to this appointment, all patients routinely completed a set of questionnaires. Covered domains were socio-demographic data, assessment of smoking status and alcohol use, a validated German version of the Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS) (28) and the Stanford Sleep Disorders Questionnaire (29). During the appointment, a complete medical history of each patient was obtained to assess comorbidities (30) such as hypertension, coronary heart disease, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, and current medication.…”