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Updated: Aug 23, 2026
Collecting Sleep, Circadian, Fatigue, and Performance Data in Complex Operational Environments
Published on: August 8, 2019
Greek version of the Epworth Sleepiness Scale
Venetia Tsara1, Eva Serasli, Anastasia Amfilochiou
1Sleep Unit, GH G. Papanikolaou, Thessaloniki, Greece. bpn@med.auth.gr
Background:
The Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) questionnaire is widely used for the assessment of daytime sleepiness in patients with sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (SAHS). The aim of this study was to develop a Greek version of ESS, bearing in mind that language is a barrier for application in non-English speaking populations.
Methods:
The forward and backward translation method by bilinguals was applied. The Greek version of ESS (ESSgr) was then administered to 130 healthy age-matched controls and 211 patients with SAHS with various levels of severity. Reproducibility of ESSgr and also the sensitivity after continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment were tested.
Results:
Patients' and controls' ESS score was 11.3 +/- 5.1 and 5.6 +/- 3.2, respectively ( p < 0.001). Total score and individual item score were correlated in both groups. ESSgr score was correlated with body mass index and apnea-hypopnea index ( p < 0.001) but not with age. Reproducibility was tested in 29 subjects, revealing no significant difference. A significant reduction was revealed (14.1 +/- 4.7 vs. 6.4 +/- 3.5; p < 0.001) in 37 patients who were evaluated after CPAP treatment.
Conclusions:
Our data validate the ESS for application in Greek-speaking populations. Despite relevant influences of language and cultural background, ESSgr is a valuable tool for clinical management and research.
