Key Points
• Source: Journal of Clinical Medicine
• Conclusion: “The French version of the BSI [Barcelona Sleepiness Index] is a valid ultra-short instrument for EDS [excessive-daytime sleepiness] screening in individuals. In addition, the BSI score may be associated with both homeostatic and circadian processes. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings in general populations and in patients with sleep disorders.”
• The researchers performed the current study to assess the validity of the French version of the BSI in screening for EDS. In 662 students. they found that the BSI score was strongly correlated with the gold-standard Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) score (r = , P < 10−4).
• The BSI was subjected to rigorous feedback from focus groups. The authors stress the importance of focus groups in identifying the concerns of a group of people and establishing a consensus on language used.
• The investigators found that their results stress the importance of including circadian rhythmicity when measuring EDS; the sleepiness scale should test for biological rhythms. They also highlight the importance of sleep pressure.
• “Considering the differences among populations in terms of medical conditions, as well as cultural and demographic factors (reflected in the variable cutoffs of questionnaires in different studies),” the authors wrote, “the BSI should be validated for each language. Although French is the sixth most widely spoken language with 300 million speakers worldwide, the psychometric properties of the BSI have not been investigated in French-speaking adults.