title: Greek version of the Epworth Sleepiness Scale.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) questionnaire is widely used for the assessment of daytime sleepiness in patients with sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (SAHS). The aim of this study was to develop a Greek version of ESS, bearing in mind that language is a barrier for application in non-English speaking populations.
  
  
  METHODS
  The forward and backward translation method by bilinguals was applied. The Greek version of ESS (ESSgr) was then administered to 130 healthy age-matched controls and 211 patients with SAHS with various levels of severity. Reproducibility of ESSgr and also the sensitivity after continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment were tested.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients' and controls' ESS score was 11.3 +/- 5.1 and 5.6 +/- 3.2, respectively ( p < 0.001). Total score and individual item score were correlated in both groups. ESSgr score was correlated with body mass index and apnea-hypopnea index ( p < 0.001) but not with age. Reproducibility was tested in 29 subjects, revealing no significant difference. A significant reduction was revealed (14.1 +/- 4.7 vs. 6.4 +/- 3.5; p < 0.001) in 37 patients who were evaluated after CPAP treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our data validate the ESS for application in Greek-speaking populations. Despite relevant influences of language and cultural background, ESSgr is a valuable tool for clinical management and research.
authors.affiliation: Sleep Unit, GH G. Papanikolaou, Thessaloniki, Greece. bpn@med.auth.gr
authors.forename: Venetia
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Tsara
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Serasli
authors.forename: Anastasia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Amfilochiou
authors.forename: Theodor
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Constantinidis
authors.forename: Pandora
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Christaki
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D045422:Continuous Positive Airway Pressure / Q000295:instrumentation; D006970:Disorders of Excessive Somnolence / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D007802:Language; D008875:Middle Aged; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires