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Application of a sleep questionnaire and the Epworth sleepiness scale in a family health center

Abstract:

Sleep disorders, especially sleep breathing disorders, have not been well studied in the patients attending a family health center in Chile. Sleep breathing disorders have been linked to cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, which are important causes of morbidity and mortality. Method: We studied a randomized sample of 180 adult patients (135 women and 45 men, with a mean age of 45.6 years) consulting a public family health center with the Epworth Sleepiness Scale and a Sleep Questionnaire which include assessment of obesity, medical conditions, medications and smoking habit, blood pressure, sleep habits, snoring, breathing cessation, insomnia, daytime sleepiness and depressive symptomatology. Results: Hypertension was found in 37.2%, diabetes in 11.1%, dislipidemia in 19.4%, smoking in 34.4%. Body mass index = of 30 Kg/m2 was found in 38.3%. Twenty five patients (13.9%) had an Epworth score = of 15. Loud snoring was reported in 56.7%. Breathing cessation was reported by the spouses in 21.7%. Difficulty for sleep initiation was present in 21.7% and to maintain sleep in 21.7%. Daytime sleepiness was present in 29.4%. Twelve patients (6.7%) had the highest score in a visual analog scale for daytime somnolence. An affirmative answer for persistent sadness or low mood and loss of interest or pleasure in the last month was reported by 43.8% of the patients. Conclusion: It is noteworthy the high frequency of undiagnosed sleep disorders found in a population consulting by others pathologies. These results would be useful for the planning of public health programs which should include sleep disorders.