Comparison of scores of application methods of the Epworth Sleepiness Scale: self administered or nurse administered.

Purpose Of The Study: The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of two different application methods (self or nurse administered) on Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) scores and compare the scores according to their correlations between polysomnographic findings.

Procedures: 114 patients agreed to participate by completing the Turkish version of the ESS with 2 different methods of application, but the complete results of polysomnography (PSG) were available for 101 patients.

Results: The scores of the nurse-administered ESS were clinically significantly correlated with the apnea-hypoapnea index. Scores of the self-administered ESS were not correlated with any of the demographic and PSG parameters. In the reliability analysis, the scores of the self-administered and the nurse-administered ESS were quite consistent.

Conclusion And Message: We considered that to complete the ESS with the method of nurse administration could change the reliability and sensitivity. In conclusion, the ESS may be a more reliable tool for measuring the severity of excessive daytime sleepiness or obstructive sleep apnea by a change in the administration method.