The primary screening role of epworth sleepiness scale in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

Objective To evaluate the diagnostic significance of Epworth sleepiness scale(ESS) in patierts suffered form obstructive sleep apnea hyoventillation syndrome(OSAHS) in different age. Methods The questionnaire of ESS was used to evaluate 213 patients suffered from OSAHS with different age and 47 patients with snoring. The results were compared with those of polysomnography(PSG). Results Significant difference in ESS-SP, EP, apnea hyponea index(AHI) and the night minimum SPO2 were found between all patients suffered from OSAHS and patients with snoring(P﹤0.05). In patients aged from 20 to 60, a significant correlation was found between EP and AHI, between ESS-Sp and the night minimum SPO2, and the patients with OSAHS had significantly correlation between ESS-SP and AHI. Conclusions EP could be used as a primary diagnostic method in patients suffered from OSAHS aged 20 to 60, but for patients suffered from OSAHS aged above 61, the value for primary diagnosis is limited.