[Epworth drowsiness scale value in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome]

Area of Science:

• Sleep Medicine
• Pulmonology
• Neurology

Background:

• Hypersomnia is a common symptom in sleep disorder centers, often linked to Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS).
• Accurate diagnosis of OSAS is crucial for effective patient management.
• Identifying simple, predictive diagnostic tools for OSAS is an ongoing clinical need.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the predictive value of the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) in diagnosing Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS).
• To compare the diagnostic utility of ESS against anthropometric measurements (BMI, neck circumference, waist perimeter) in OSAS patients.

Main Methods:

• A comparative study design was employed, contrasting patients diagnosed with OSAS against a control group.
• The Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) scores were compared between groups.
• Anthropometric indices including Body Mass Index (BMI), Neck Circumference (NC), and Waist Perimeter (WP) were also analyzed.

Main Results:

• Anthropometric indices (BMI, NC, WP) showed no significant differences between OSAS and control groups (p < 0.10).
• The OSAS group exhibited significantly higher ESS scores (p < 0.001), with a score > 10 being a key indicator.
• ESS demonstrated 60% sensitivity, 82% specificity, and an 85% positive predictive value for OSAS diagnosis.

Conclusions:

• The Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) is a valuable tool for predicting Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS).
• An ESS score exceeding 10 warrants suspicion of OSAS, independent of traditional anthropometric measures.
• ESS offers significant predictive value, aiding in the clinical suspicion and potential diagnosis of OSAS.