Epworth Sleepiness Scale

The Epworth Sleepiness Scale is used to diagnose obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA).

If you suspect you might have OSA, answer the following questions and take your answers to your GP.

Epworth Sleepiness Scale

How likely are you to doze off or fall asleep in the following situations, in comparison to feeling just tired? This refers to your usual way of life in recent times.

Even if you haven't done some of these things recently, try to work out how they would have affected you.

Use the following scale to choose the most appropriate number for each situation:

0 = would never doze
1 = slight chance of dozing
2 = moderate chance of dozing
3 = high chance of dozing

It's important that you answer each question as best you can.

Situation	Chance of dozing (0 = low, 3 = high)
Sitting and reading	Chance: 0 (would never doze) 1 (slight chance) 2 (moderate chance) 3 (high chance)
Watching TV	Chance: 0 (would never doze) 1 (slight chance) 2 (moderate chance) 3 (high chance)
Sitting still in a public place (e.g. a theatre, a cinema or a meeting)	Chance: 0 (would never doze) 1 (slight chance) 2 (moderate chance) 3 (high chance)
As a passenger in a car for an hour without a break	Chance: 0 (would never doze) 1 (slight chance) 2 (moderate chance) 3 (high chance)
Lying down to rest in the afternoon when the circumstances allow	Chance: 0 (would never doze) 1 (slight chance) 2 (moderate chance) 3 (high chance)
Sitting and talking to someone	Chance: 0 (would never doze) 1 (slight chance) 2 (moderate chance) 3 (high chance)
Sitting quietly after lunch without having drunk alcohol	Chance: 0 (would never doze) 1 (slight chance) 2 (moderate chance) 3 (high chance)
In a car or bus while stopped for a few minutes in traffic	Chance: 0 (would never doze) 1 (slight chance) 2 (moderate chance) 3 (high chance)
TOTAL

What does my score mean?

Talk to your GP about your circumstances. Scores can be interpreted as follows:

•  0-5 lower normal daytime sleepiness
•  6-10 normal daytime sleepiness
• 11-12 mild excessive daytime symptoms
• 13-15 moderate excessive daytime symptoms
• 16-24 severe excessive daytime symptoms

It may be useful to print this page to show your GP.

Copyright N.W. Johns 1990-1997. Used under license. Sample copy - do not use without permission.
Contact information and permission to use: Mapi Research Trust, Lyon, France. – Internet: https://eprovide.mapi-trust.org

Reference: Dr Johns’ personal website about the ESS. Available at: http://epworthsleepinessscale.com/about-the-ess/. Accessed November 21, 2011