To evaluate basic psychometric properties and obtain normative values for a novel 3-item scale, the Minimal Insomnia Symptom Scale (MISS), a sleep questionnaire was sent out to a randomly selected sample of the general population, aged 20-64 years. Responses were obtained from 1075 subjects corresponding to a response rate of 78%. Results showed that MISS possessed satisfactory reliability and validity. Women scored significantly higher than men while there was no age relationship. A receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed that MISS was able to distinguish subjects with a clinical insomnia according to ICD-10 research criteria. The main advantage of MISS over other insomnia instruments is its brevity and ease of use. Evidence was provided for the utility of MISS in epidemiological settings. MISS also showed promise as a convenient ultra-short screening measure of insomnia in health care settings.
