Epworth Sleepiness Scale

This article is currently under review. The intention is to implement a calculator that interacts with the clinical record.

This easy to use patient self administered questionnaire can be used to screen patients for sleep apnoea. Score 0 if they never doze in that situation, up to 3 if they have a high chance of dozing. Total scores of ≥11 are supportive of the diagnosis.¹ Always consider other possible diagnoses (e.g. narcolepsy).

Ask the patient how likely they are to doze off or fall asleep in the following situations (rather than just feeling tired) - referring to their usual way of life in recent times. If they haven't done some of these things recently, ask them to try and work out how it would have affected them - so all questions have an answer (it is important that they answer each question as best they can).

Epworth Sleepiness Scale is available here

Acknowledgements EMIS is grateful to Dr Huw Thomas for writing this article. The final copy has passed scrutiny by the independent Mentor GP reviewing team. ©EMIS 2009.
Document ID: 2112
Document Version: 23
Document Reference: bgp2436
Last Updated: 30 Jun 2009
Planned Review: 29 Jun 2014