Preparation of the Lithuanian version of ullanlinna narcolepsy scale (UNS): evaluation its relations with the prevalence of other sleep disturbances and sociodemographic indicators

Abstract

INTRODUCTION The narcoleptic syndrome is a chronic and usually idiopathic disorder of unknown origin, involving both genetic and environmental factors. Narcolepsy type 1 characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness and cataplexy affects about 1 in 2000 people in the world. Narcolepsy type 2 is a syndrome of sleepiness without cataplexy and the prevalence of narcolepsy type 2 remains unclear. There is a great demand of epidemiological, as well as clinical studies about the narcolepsy prevalence and clinical features in Lithuanian population. Moreover, the diagnostic process of the disease is lacking additional objective and sensitive tools. The Ullanlinna Narcolepsy Scale (UNS) is a questionnairebased method used to measure the symptoms of the narcoleptic syndrome. The 11-item scale (range 0 - 44) assesses the two main features of the narcoleptic syndrome - the abnormal sleeping tendency and cataplexy [3]. Authors of the UNS suggest testing the scale in other languages independently because of linguistic and cultural differences. AIM To prepare the Lithuanian version of Ullanlinna Narcolepsy Scale (UNS) and evaluate its relations with the prevalence of other sleep disturbances and sociodemographic indicators. METHODS Permission to use the UNS for our research was given by the authors of the UNS scale. The study protocol was approved by Bioethics Center of Lithuanian University of Health Sciences (Nr. BEC-MF- 167). The Lithuanian version of UNS (LUNS) was translated from the English version to Lithuanian and then translated back to English by bilingual fluent Lithuanian physicians. Participants were given questionnaires structured by sociodemographic questions, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and UNS. The SPSS computer package was used for statistical analysis. Descriptive statistics are represented by percentages for qualitative variables and by means [...].