Epworth Sleepiness Scale

Johns MW. A new method for measuring daytime sleepiness: the Epworth sleepiness scale. Introduced the eight-situation questionnaire and its 0–24 scoring used here; validated against overnight polysomnography and the multiple sleep latency test in 180 adults, including patients with obstructive sleep apnoea, narcolepsy, and idiopathic hypersomnia.

A high score (≥ 11) reflects excessive daytime sleepiness in general and is not specific to any one sleep disorder — it supports referral for a sleep evaluation (e.g. for suspected obstructive sleep apnoea, alongside STOP-Bang) rather than a diagnosis on its own. It is a self-report of usual recent habits, so it can under- or over-estimate sleepiness in a person with an irregular routine or limited insight into their own dozing.