Race and Ethnic Variation in Excessive Daytime Sleepiness: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis

This cross-sectional study utilized data from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA). The sample included 5,173 older adults (mean age = 66.4 years) recruited from 6 field centers in the United States. Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) was evaluated using two measures: self-report of feeling excessively sleepy 5 days per month and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) 12. White participants were more likely than other groups to report EDS 5 days per month. After controlling for covariates, African American and Hispanic participants remained less likely to report EDS 5 days per month. African Americans were more likely to score 12 on the ESS than White participants. Odds ESS 12 in African American participants were attenuated but remained significant after controlling for covariates. Results indicate measurement of race/ethnic differences in EDS may result in conflicting estimates of race/ethnic variation. Furthermore, attenuation of differences in ESS 12 suggests this measure has a stronger association with current health.