A Preliminary Study of Relationship between Epworth Sleepiness Scale and Excessive Sleepiness in Shift Workers

Abstract

The objective was to study the sleep propensity (SPs) in Thai medical staffs who are working in the hospital in Thailand. The preliminary results have shown that about 70% of the subjects answered slight chance of dozing, while 20% answered moderate chance of dozing for sitting and reading situation. Only 10% of the subjects would never doze. On the other hand, there are 60% of the subjects answered slight chance of dozing, while 10% answered moderate chance of dozing for as a passenger in a car for hour without a break of Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). In the same way, there are 30% mentioned that they would never doze. All participants included night shift workers with excessive sleepiness. Each participant was assessed by standardized measures of excessive sleepiness (Epworth sleepiness scale [ESS] $\geq$ 11). Exclusions included clinical major medical problem, psychiatric, neurological problem, use of drugs other than alcohol, uncorrected serious vision issue, pregnancy and lactation, use of antibiotics and herbs during this study. The ESS item scores in this study are all assessments of different situational SPs. The situations can be described in general terms but not completely, for they depend on the subject's perception of them. It has been demonstrated previously how the SPs in a particular situation can be influenced by instructions and motivation. Although these preliminary findings represent a relatively information, it may not reflect all the SPs in Thai medical staffs who are working in hospital. It needs further research to be done in the larger extended way.