Is the Epworth Sleepiness Scale an appropriate screening tool for patients with sleep disordered breathing (SDB): A retrospective clinical audit

Journal Contribution ResearchOnline@JCU
Barry, A.;Pyne, N.;Munns, S.;Nolan, G.
Suzy Munns
Abstract

Background: The Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) is a screening questionnaire that is currently used to triage patients for diagnostic sleep studies and for clinical prioritisation of treatment through Queensland Health Sleep Disorders Program (QHSDP). Recent literature suggests that the ESS is not predictive in identifying Sleep Disordered Breathing (SDB). Aim: The aim of this investigation was to assess the correlation between the ESS and Apnoea Hypopnoea Index (AHI), and their relationships with age and BMI, in patients within the Townsville Hospital and Health Services (THHS). It was hypothesised that the ESS would not correlate with the AHI and that increasing age and BMI were directly correlated to an increasing AHI. Methodology: A retrospective clinical audit was performed at the Townsville University Hospital between July 2018 and December 2019. Data was collected from 289 patients using EHR. The ESS score, AHI, BMI, age and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) status of patients was collected. Results: Using three different correlation analysis methods it was found that the ESS did not correlate with the AHI in both non-ATSI and ATSI patients within the THHS. A significant positive correlation was found between AHI and increases in both in age and BMI in non-ATSI patients. Conclusion: We believe results from this clinical audit demonstrate that the ESS does not correlate with the AHI in patients within the THHS. Therefore, it is recommended that the ESS is no longer used to screen patients, triage for diagnostic sleep studies, or for clinical prioritisation of treatment for patients with SDB as stated by Medicare and QHSDP.

Journal

ERJ Open Research

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N/A

Volume

7

ISBN/ISSN

2312-0541

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Issue

Suppl. 7

Pages Count

1

Location

Online

Publisher

European Respiratory Society

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Publisher Location

ERJ Open Research

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N/A

DOI

10.1183/23120541.sleepandbreathing-2021.55