gms | German Medical Science

83rd Annual Meeting of the German Society of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Head and Neck Surgery

German Society of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Head and Neck Surgery

16.05. - 20.05.2012, Mainz

The influence of the circadian rhythm on the completion of the Epworth Sleepiness Scale

Meeting Abstract

  • corresponding author Sebastian Plößl - Univ. HNO-Klinik, Halle/S., Germany
  • presenting/speaker Andreas Bedorf - Univ. HNO-Klinik, Greifswald, Germany
  • presenting/speaker Thomas Bremert - Univ. HNO-Klinik, Greifswald, Germany
  • presenting/speaker Lars Bieseke - Univ. HNO-Klinik, Halle/S., Germany
  • presenting/speaker Stefan Plontke - Univ. HNO-Klinik, Halle/S., Germany
  • presenting/speaker Michael Herzog - Univ. HNO-Klinik, Halle/S., Germany

German Society of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Head and Neck Surgery. 83rd Annual Meeting of the German Society of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Head and Neck Surgery. Mainz, 16.-20.05.2012. Düsseldorf: German Medical Science GMS Publishing House; 2012. Doc12hno66

doi: 10.3205/12hno66, urn:nbn:de:0183-12hno668

Published: July 23, 2012

© 2012 Plößl et al.
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Outline

Text

Introduction: The Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) is used to assess daytime sleepiness over a period of time routinely in patients with sleep-related breathing disorders (SRBD). There is no data available on the impact of the current vigilance at the particular time completing the ESS. Differing ESS-scores due to the influence of the circadian rhythm could be expected.

Methods: 112 consecutive patients with suspected SRBD were enrolled in the study. The ESS has been answered at three points of time (8:00, 15:00, 20:00) over three days. Serving as reference value, the Karolinska- and Stanford Sleepiness Scale (KSS, SSS) were chosen to evaluate the current sleepiness. The questionnaires were completed on the day before (day 1) and after a diagnostic polysomnography (PSG)-night (day 2), as well as after an optional CPAP night (day 3).

Results: The subjects reported a reduced current sleepiness (KSS, SSS) on Day 1 and Day 3, 8:00, compared to 15:00 and 20:00. On day 2 after the diagnostic night at 8.00 an increased sleepiness could be verified compared to day 1 and 3. The ESS score was neither affected by the circadian rhythm nor influenced by the sleep laboratory nights.

Conclusion: The KSS and SSS could be used to verify the current daytime sleepiness regarding the daytime variability of vigilance caused by the circadian rhythm. A PSG diagnostic night increased daytime sleepiness the following day with the abolition of circadian vigilance. The completion of the ESS is neither influenced by the diurnal variability of vigilance nor by the post-diagnostic vigilance. The ESS appears to present a valid procedure for the detection of daytime sleepiness over a period of time.