Tracking Excessive Daytime Sleepiness: ESS
The Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) is a validated screening tool for assessing daytime sleepiness
The is a short, self-administered questionnaire designed to measure sleep propensity in a simple, standardized way (only 8 questions on a total scale of 0 to 24).1
ESS: Used to measure excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) in adults
0Would never doze
1Slight chance of "dozing"
2Moderate chance of "dozing"
3High chance of "dozing"
| Situation | Chance of dozing |
|---|---|
| Sitting and reading | 0123 |
| Watching TV | 0123 |
| Sitting inactive in a public place (eg, a theater or meeting) | 0123 |
| As a passenger in a car for an hour without a break | 0123 |
| Lying down to rest in the afternoon when circumstances permit | 0123 |
| Sitting and talking with someone | 0123 |
| Sitting quietly after a lunch without alcohol | 0123 |
| In a car, while stopped for a few minutes in traffic | 0123 |
The total score (out of 24) proved capable of distinguishing individuals and diagnostic groups over a range of daytime sleepiness conditions.1
- An score of >10 indicates excessive daytime sleepiness1
- scores ≥16, indicating high levels of daytime sleepiness, were found in patients with IH of at least moderate severity. Patients with IH had higher scores than controls1
Although the is an established assessment tool, it was not specifically designed for IH.1
Use the Epworth Sleepiness Scale to help assess your patients' daytime sleepiness.
Need a way to assess IH symptom severity and frequency over time?
ESS © MW Johns 1990-1997. Used under License.
Reference:
- Johns MW. A new method for measuring daytime sleepiness: the Epworth Sleepiness Scale. Sleep. 1991;14(6):540-545.