Study Objective: Sleep problems may constitute a risk for health problems, including cardiovascular disease, depression, diabetes, poor work performance, and motor vehicle accidents. The primary purpose of this study was to assess the validity of the current Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) sleep questions by establishing the sensitivity and specificity for detection of sleep/ wake disturbance. Methods: Repeated cross-sectional assessment of 300 community dwelling adults over the age of 18 who did not wear CPAP or oxygen during sleep. Reliability and validity testing of the BRFSS sleep questions was performed comparing to BFRSS responses to data from home sleep study, actigraphy for 14 days, Insomnia Severity Index, Epworth Sleepiness Scale, and PROMIS-57. Results: Only two of the five BRFSS sleep questions were found valid and reliable in determining total sleep time and excessive daytime sleepiness.
I NTRO DUCTI O NThe Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) is an ongoing telephone health survey system conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the 50 United States as well as District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Guam. The purpose of the BRFSS is to track health risk behaviors, preventive health practices, and health care access primarily related to chronic disease and injury. The use of the system started in 1984 and continues monthly. More than 350,000 adults are interviewed each year. Information from the surveys is used in research and clinical practice, and is frequently used to support public health policies and health-related legislative efforts.
1In early 2000, the CDC, in collaboration with the National Sleep Foundation, facilitated a work group charged with raising awareness about, increasing the understanding of, and reducing the impact of sleep deprivation and sleep disorders. In response to the work group's recommendations, the sleep question that was initiated in the BRFSS in 1995 was expanded upon with four optional module questions to capture sleep related symptoms. The current BRFSS sleep questions are: (1) During the past 30 days for about how many days have you felt you did not get enough rest or sleep; (2) On average, how many hours of sleep do you get in a 24-hour period? Think about the time you actually spend sleeping or napping, not just the amount of sleep you think you should get; (3) Do you snore; (4) During the past 30 days, for about how many days did you find yourself unintentionally falling asleep during the day; and (5) During the past 30 days, have you ever nodded off or fallen asleep, even just for a brief moment, while driving? The questions were implemented into the state telephone surveys around 2005, but to date, evidence of their validation is lacking. Therefore, a study was performed to assess the reliability and validity of the BRFSS sleep questions to determine their sensitivity to detect sleep disorders and insufficient sleep in adults. Establishing questions that will accurately identif...