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.