Resumo

CASTILLO C, José Luis et al. Application of a sleep questionnaire and the Epworth sleepiness scale in a family health center. Rev. chil. neuro-psiquiatr. [online]. 2008, vol.46, n.3, pp. 182-191. ISSN 0717-9227.  http://dx.doi.org/10.4067/S0717-92272008000300003.

Introduction: 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 ofmorbidity 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 ofobesity medical conditions, medications and smoking habit, blood pressure, sleep habits, snoring, breathing cessation, insomnia, daytime sleepiness and depressive symptomatology Results: Hypertension wasfound in 37.2%, diabetes in 11.1%, dislipidemia in 19.4%, smoking in 34.4%. Body mass index > of30 Kg/m² wasfound in 38.3%). Twentyfivepatients (13.9%>) had an Epworth score >ofl5. 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 ofinterest or pleasure in the last month was reported by 43.8% ofthe patients. Conclusión: 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.

Palavras-chave : Epworth sleepiness scale; daytime sleepiness; insomnia; sleep apneas; sleep disorders; sleep questionnaire.