Prevalence and risk factors of subjective sleepiness in the general adult population.

STUDY

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of self-reported excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) in Norway.

DESIGN

The Epworth Sleepiness Scale was administered by a telephone interview to a random sample of 2301 adult inhabitants of Norway. Questions of demography, symptoms of sleep disorders, and depression were included.

SETTING

Norway.

PARTICIPANTS

Two thousand three hundred one subjects, 18 years and older.

INTERVENTIONS: N/A.

MEASUREMENTS AND

RESULTS

The mean score of the Epworth Sleepiness Scale was 6.95 (SD = 3.8), and 17.7% had a score (> 10), indicating EDS. Univariate logistic regression analyses showed that being a man; living in southern Norway; working nights; being young; having symptoms of cataplexy, restless legs, or periodic limb movement in sleep; having breathing pauses in sleep; and having symptoms of depression were significantly related to EDS. Of these 9 predictors, only symptoms of restless legs did not maintain the significant relationship with EDS when a multiple logistic regression analysis was performed.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of EDS was high in this adult Norwegian population sample. EDS seems to be related to several symptoms of sleep disorders.