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SLEEP - Article Abstract

Volume : 30
Issue : 05
Pages : 619-624




Prevalence and Risk Factors of Subjective Sleepiness in the General Adult Population

Ståle Pallesen, PhD1,3; Inger Hilde Nordhus, PhD2,3; Siri Omvik, Psy D2; Børge Sivertsen, PhD2; Grethe S Tell, PhD4; Bjørn Bjorvatn, MD, PhD3,4

1Department of Psychosocial Science, University of Bergen; 2Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Bergen; 3Norwegian Competence Center for Sleep Disorders, Haukeland University Hospital; 4Department of Public Health and Primary Health Care, University of Bergen, Norway



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.
Citation: Pallesen S; Nordhus IH; Omvik S et al. Prevalence and risk factors of subjective sleepiness in the general adult population. SLEEP 2007;30(5):619-624


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