Validation of the Urdu version of the Epworth Sleepiness Scale

Objective: To translate and validate the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) for use in Urdu-speaking population. Methods: The original Epworth Sleepiness Scale was translated into the Urdu version (ESS-Ur) in three phases -translation and back-translation; committee-based translation; and testing in bilingual individuals. The final was subsequently tested on 89 healthy bilingual subjects between February and April, 2010, to assess the validity of the translation compared to the original version. The subjects were students and employees of Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi. Results: Both English and Urdu versions of the Epworth Sleepiness Scale were administered to 59 (67%) women and 30 (33%) men. The mean composite Epworth score was 7.53 in English language and 7.7 in the Urdu version (p=0.76). The translated version was found to be highly correlated with the original scale (rho=0.938; p .01). Conclusions: The study validated the scale s Urdu version as an effective tool for measuring daytime sleepiness in Urdu-speaking population. Future studies assessing the validity of such patients with sleep disorders need to be undertaken.