Excessive sleepiness: under-recognized and essential marker for sleep/wake disorder management.

BACKGROUND: Research during the past few decades has provided substantial evidence indicating that excessive sleepiness (ES) and associated sleep/wake disorders can result in significant morbidity and mortality. However, symptomatology (e.g., ES) and the relationships among common morbidities (e.g., cardiovascular disease, metabolic disorders, mood impairment) and sleep/wake disorders remain under-recognized in clinical practice, particularly in primary care. Yet assessment of sleep/wakefulness and associated symptoms can often be easily conducted in the primary care setting, providing valuable information to facilitate the diagnosis and management of sleep/wake disorders. OBJECTIVE: To provide a conceptual and educational framework that helps primary care physicians comprehensively assess, differentially diagnosis, and appropriately manage patients presenting with ES or ES-related sleep/wake disorders. METHODS: Comprised of six sleep specialists and six primary care physicians, the Sleep/Wake Disorders Working Group (SWG) used a modified, two-round Delphi approach to create and harmonize consensus recommendations for the assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing management of patients with common sleep/wake disorders related to ES. RESULTS: After a review of the relevant literature, the SWG arrived at consensus on a number of clinical recommendations for the assessment and management ES and some of the most commonly associated sleep/wake disorders. Ten consensus statements ­ five each for assessment/diagnosis and treatment/ongoing care ­ were created for ES, insomnia, obstructive sleep apnea, circadian rhythm disorders, restless legs syndrome, and narcolepsy. CONCLUSION: ES and ES-related sleep/wake disorders are commonly encountered in the primary care setting. By providing an educational framework for primary care physicians, the SWG hopes to improve patient outcomes by emphasizing recognition, prompt diagnosis, and appropriate ongoing management of ES and associated sleep/wake disorders.

Comparison in symptoms between aged and younger patients with narcolepsy.

We investigated the age-related changes in symptoms in narcolepsy. Fifty patients, 65-year-old and over (aged group), were recruited from the National Narcolepsy Registry. Thirty-four patients, younger than 65 (younger group), were selected by random sampling. Although there was no difference in the age of disease onset between the two groups, the age of diagnosis was significantly earlier for the younger group. Methylphenidate was used significantly more in the aged group, and modafinil in the younger group. The aged group had lower total scores on the Ullanlinna Narcolepsy Scale, because the scores for cataplexy were significantly less for the aged group. There was no significant difference in excessive daytime sleepiness between the two groups.

Clinical factors contributing to the differential diagnosis of primary insomnia and insomnia related to mental disorders.

OBJECTIVE: Primary insomnia and insomnia related to mental disorders are the two most common DSM-IV insomnia diagnoses, but distinguishing between them is difficult in clinical practice. This analysis was performed to identify clinical factors used by sleep specialists to distinguish primary insomnia from insomnia related to mental disorders. METHOD: Clinicians evaluated 216 patients referred for insomnia at five clinical sites, rated a list of clinical factors judged to contribute to each patient's presentation, and assigned diagnoses. Analysis of variance was performed, with contributing factors as the dependent variable and diagnostic group and clinic location as independent variables. RESULTS: Sleep specialists rated a psychiatric disorder as a stronger factor for insomnia related to mental disorders and rated negative conditioning and sleep hygiene as stronger factors for primary insomnia. However, a psychiatric disorder was rated as a contributing factor for 77% of patients who received a first diagnosis of primary insomnia. CONCLUSIONS: While neither sleep hygiene nor negative conditioning is a diagnostic criterion in DSM-IV, these results support the face validity of these clinical factors distinguishing between primary insomnia and insomnia related to mental disorders. The use of a psychiatric disorder as an inclusion criterion for insomnia related to mental disorders and an exclusion criterion for primary insomnia reinforces a categorical distinction between the two diagnoses, but the contribution of psychiatric symptoms in primary insomnia appears to be a clinically relevant one. These findings suggest the need for studies on the validity of negative conditioning and sleep hygiene in the etiology of primary insomnia, as well as on the significance of psychiatric disorders, especially depression, in primary insomnia.

Effects of diagnosis on treatment recommendations in chronic insomnia--a report from the APA/NIMH DSM-IV field trial.

The objective of this study was to determine whether sleep specialists and nonspecialists recommend different treatments for different insomnia diagnoses according to two different diagnostic classifications. Two hundred sixteen patients with chronic insomnia at five sites were each interviewed by two clinicians: one sleep specialist and one nonsleep specialist. All interviewers indicated diagnoses using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition (DSM-IV); sleep specialists also indicated diagnoses according to the International Classification for Sleep Disorders (ICSD). Interviewers then indicated how strongly they would recommend each item in a standard list of treatment and diagnostic interventions for each patient. We examined differences in treatment recommendations among the six most common DSM-IV diagnoses assigned by sleep specialists at different sites (n = 192), among the six most common ICSD diagnoses assigned by sleep specialists at different sites (n = 153), and among the six most common DSM-IV diagnoses assigned by nonspecialists at different sites (n = 186). In each analysis, specific treatment and polysomnography recommendations differed significantly for different diagnoses, using either DSM-IV or ICSD criteria. Conversely, different diagnoses were associated with different rank orderings of specific treatment and diagnostic recommendations. Sleep specialist and nonspecialist interviewers each distinguished treatment recommendations among different diagnoses, but in general, nonspecialists more strongly recommended medications and relaxation treatments. Significant site-related differences in treatment recommendations also emerged. Differences in treatment recommendations support the distinction between different DSM-IV and ICSD diagnoses, although they do not provide formal validation. Site-related differences suggest a lack of consensus in how these disorders are conceptualized and treated.

Sleep-related laryngospasm.

Seven patients (mean age 46.6; range 33-58; 6M,1F) presented with sleep-related choking episodes and were found to have features in common that distinguished them from other known causes of choking episodes during sleep. The characteristic features include: an awakening from sleep with an acute choking sensation, stridor, panic, tachycardia, short duration of episode (less than 60 seconds), infrequent episodes (typically less than 1 per month), and absence of any known etiology. The disorder most commonly occurs in middle-aged males who are otherwise healthy. In one patient an episode of laryngospasm was polysomnographically documented to occur during stage 3. The clinical features and the polysomnographic findings suggest spasm of the vocal cords of unknown etiology.

Clinical diagnoses in 216 insomnia patients using the International Classification of Sleep Disorders (ICSD), DSM-IV and ICD-10 categories: a report from the APA/NIMH DSM-IV Field Trial.

Three diagnostic classifications for sleep disorders have been developed recently: the International Classification of Sleep Disorders (ICSD), the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, 4th edition (DSM-IV), and the International Classification of Diseases, 10th edition (ICD-10). No data have yet been published regarding the frequency of specific diagnoses within these systems or how the diagnostic systems relate to each other. To address these issues, we examined clinical sleep disorder diagnoses (without polysomnography) in 257 patients (216 insomnia patients and 41 medical/psychiatric patients) evaluated at five sleep centers. A sleep specialist interviewed each patient and assigned clinical diagnoses using ICSD, DSM-IV and ICD-10 classifications. "Sleep disorder associated with mood disorder" was the most frequent ICSD primary diagnosis (32.3% of cases), followed by "Psychophysiological insomnia" (12.5% of cases). The most frequent DSM-IV primary diagnoses were "Insomnia related to another mental disorder" (44% of cases) and "Primary insomnia" (20.2% of cases), and the most frequent ICD-10 diagnoses were "Insomnia due to emotional causes" (61.9% of cases) and "Insomnia of organic origin" (8.9% of cases). When primary and secondary diagnoses were considered, insomnia related to psychiatric disorders was diagnosed in over 75% of patients. The more narrowly defined ICSD diagnoses nested logically within the broader DSM-IV and ICD-10 categories. We found substantial site-related differences in diagnostic patterns. These results confirm the importance of psychiatric and behavioral factors in clinicians' assessments of insomnia patients across all three diagnostic systems. ICSD and DSM-IV sleep disorder diagnoses have similar patterns of use by experienced clinicians.

Diagnostic concordance for DSM-IV sleep disorders: a report from the APA/NIMH DSM-IV field trial.

OBJECTIVE: The frequency and ranking of DSM-IV sleep disorder diagnoses of clinical patients with complaints of insomnia, as well as rates of diagnostic agreement and disagreement between two types of interviewers, were investigated. METHOD: Interviewers at five clinical sites assessed 216 patients referred for insomnia complaints. One sleep specialist and one general clinician interviewed each patient in an unstructured clinical interview, assigned DSM-IV diagnoses, and indicated their reactions to the diagnostic system. RESULTS: Insomnia due to another mental disorder was the most frequent DSM-IV diagnosis across sites, followed by primary insomnia. Interviewers at the five sites differed significantly in the rankings they assigned to different diagnoses. In addition, sleep specialists at most sites diagnosed psychiatric forms of insomnia more frequently than nonspecialists. Kappa values for agreement between the two types of clinicians on multiple DSM-IV sleep diagnoses ranged from 0.26 to 0.80 across sites, indicating moderate agreement overall. Kappa values for individual diagnoses varied across sites and specific diagnoses and ranged from poor to excellent. Interviewers' ratings of their confidence in diagnoses and the fit and ease of use of the DSM-IV categories also showed significant variability related to site and type of interviewer. CONCLUSIONS: The distribution of diagnoses highlights the importance of psychiatric and behavioral factors in the assessment of insomnia. Site-related variability indicates a need for greater standardization in the application of sleep disorder diagnostic criteria. Diagnostic concordance for these diagnoses, while only moderately good, likely reflects actual clinical practice and would be improved through the use of standardized (or structured) interviews and increased training.

Sleep disorders: simple or complex?

The diagnosis may be as simple as sleep deprivation or a more complex, mixed disorder, such as obstructive sleep apnea complicated by a CNS abnormality. At least 65 primary sleep disorders have been identified. Polysomnographic and other sleep evaluations may be indicated to guide diagnosis and treatment.

T-sleep: an improved method for scoring breathing-disordered sleep.

We developed a new method to score sleep fragmented by respiratory events that we call the T-sleep (transitional sleep scoring) method. Five control polysomnograms from subjects without sleep-related breathing abnormalities were scored by the Rechtschaffen and Kales (R&K) method, and 10 polysomnograms from patients with severe obstructive sleep apnea were scored by both the R&K and the T-sleep method. Comparative analyses were performed on sleep variables of the control and apnea polysomnograms, and interscorer correlations were assessed for sleep and apnea variables. The interscorer correlations were high for both R&K control scoring and for apnea recordings scored by the T-sleep method. The number of sleep stage events documented for the 10 apnea recordings was significantly less for the T-sleep method than the R&K method (36, SD 17.0 vs. 332, SD 144.0; p = 0.0002). The T-sleep method was shown to be an effective, accurate and quick method for scoring sleep in patients with sleep-related breathing disorders.

Short-term triazolam use improves nocturnal sleep of narcoleptics.

This study was undertaken to determine whether the use of triazolam by narcoleptic patients leads to improvement of nighttime sleep or excessive sleepiness. Ten narcoleptic patients, 5 males and 5 females, with complaints of sleep disturbance and aged between 18 and 60 years, were assigned to a single-blind within-subject crossover-designed study comparing placebo with 0.25 mg triazolam. All subjects completed sleep questionnaires and underwent 6 nights of polysomnographic testing. Following an adaptation night, subjects received either triazolam or placebo for 2 nights. Objective tests of sleepiness (multiple sleep latency testing/maintenance of wakefulness test) were performed. Sleep efficiency and overall sleep quality were improved on all triazolam nights. Daytime excessive sleepiness was not reduced objectively after triazolam. This study demonstrates that the short-term use of triazolam improves nocturnal sleep quality in narcoleptics. Studies of long-term administration of triazolam are required to determine if the improvement of nocturnal sleep is maintained.

Multiple sclerosis and narcolepsy: possible similar genetic susceptibility.

We have studied 2 patients with multiple sclerosis and narcolepsy. In both patients, the DR 2 histocompatibility antigen was positive. In each of the patients, the diagnosis of narcolepsy was confirmed by polygraphic testing.

Effects of otolithic vestibular stimulation on sleep.

This study evaluated the effects of otolithic vestibular stimulation in the form of a linearly accelerated parallel swing on nighttime sleep parameters and daytime sleep tendency in eight normal subjects. The protocol consisted of one adaptation night following by two motion nights, one adaptation night followed by two stationary nights, and two Multiple Sleep Latency Tests (MSLT), one motion and one stationary. On the motion nights, there was a decrease in stage 2 percentage as well as a facilitative effect on sleep latency on the last night. In addition, an increase in the number of rapid eye movements (REMs) per night was found without a significant alteration of REM sleep amount or latency. No significant differences were found between the motion and stationary MSLT days.

The use of sleep studies in neurologic practice.

Polysomnographic studies have been shown to be useful in the diagnosis of many sleep disorders, particularly those associated with impaired respiration during sleep or impairment of daytime alertness. As with any test, unless it is performed under ideal conditions, the amount of information obtained may be limited. Because of the interaction between nighttime sleep and daytime alertness, disorders associated with impaired alertness usually require at least 24-hour assessment. The polysomnogram and MSLT, although detailed and time consuming, are essential for the accurate diagnosis of many sleep disorders. If a primary sleep disorder is suspected, polysomnographic testing, particularly early in the patient's evaluation, may obviate unnecessary neurologic and medical tests, which yield little information in the assessment of disorders of sleep and wakefulness.

Classification of sleep disorders.

This review discusses recent developments in classifying the sleep disorders. Several classification systems are presented, and the Diagnostic Classification of the Sleep and Arousal Disorders (DCSAD), published by the Association of Sleep Disorders Centers in 1979, is used as the basis for reviewing their differences. The four main sections of the DCSAD are presented: the disorders of initiating and maintaining sleep, the disorders of excessive somnolence, the sleep-wake schedule disorders, and the dysfunctions associated with sleep, sleep stages, or partial arousals. Disorders discovered since the publication of the DCSAD are mentioned along with the new nomenclature of the International Classification of Sleep Disorders, due to be published in 1990. References are given to the original clinical descriptions and nomenclature.

Effect of growth hormone treatment on sleep EEGs in growth hormone-deficient children.

Total sleep time, sleep stages 1-4, REM, REM latency, and sleep efficiency were analyzed in seven children with growth hormone deficiency (GHD) before and after growth hormone (GH) therapy. Before GH therapy, GHD children spent 19.5% of their total sleep time in REM sleep, 9.7% in stage 1, 41.0% in stage 2, 10.0% in stage 3, and 19.7% in stage 4. GHD children had more stage 1 and 3 sleep and less REM as compared with age-matched normal children reported by Williams et al. After GH therapy was initiated, six of the seven patients had decreases in the duration of stage 3 sleep, with an average decrease of 21.8 min. The difference between stage 3 sleep before and during GH treatment was significant, with a p value of less than 0.025. When the results were expressed as the percentage of the total sleep period, the difference was also significant, (10.0 +/- 2.0 to 7.5 +/- 3.1%, mean +/- SD; p less than 0.05). No other sleep parameters were significantly affected by GH therapy. The changes observed in stage 3 sleep, non-REM sleep, and the lack of any other changes in sleep before and after GH therapy have not been described before in GH-deficient children. They differ from studies in normal humans and animals which showed that REM sleep increased with administration of growth hormone. These differences suggest that GH deficiency is associated with a specific sleep EEG anomaly that is corrected in part by GH therapy.

Delayed sleep phase syndrome in adolescents.

The delayed sleep phase syndrome is characterized by difficulty in falling asleep at a socially acceptable time of night and an inability to be easily aroused in the morning. Most commonly encountered in adolescents, this condition can produce daytime sleepiness and poor school performance, and it can lead to behavioral problems. The clinical features of the syndrome are described in 22 adolescents. Nine subjects participated in a protocol of polysomnographic recordings to simulate habitual "weekday" and "weekend" sleep patterns. There was a significant increase in total sleep time (p less than 0.005) and REM sleep (p less than 0.001) during the "weekend" sleep period. A multiple sleep latency test was performed between the two nights to assess daytime sleep tendency. Daytime sleepiness was maximal in the morning, with a tendency for greater alertness as the day progressed. The reduced amount of REM sleep during the "weekdays" plus the tendency for sleepiness in the mornings may contribute to the behavioral and educational difficulties seen in these patients. Recognition of this syndrome enables a specific sleep schedule change to be made that effectively treats the problem.

Parasomnias.

This article presents four examples of parasomnia activity. Sleepwalking, sleep terror, and rhythmic movement disorder all occur more commonly in children; however, they can persist into adulthood. REM behavior disorder frequently occurs in elderly patients with neurologic lesions. The sleep stage associations of the different disorders differ. Two of the disorders, sleepwalking and sleep terrors, have a clear association with stage 3/4 sleep, and REM behavior disorder occurs in REM sleep. Rhythmic movement disorder episodes can present solely in REM sleep but more typically occur in light non-REM sleep, and there are usually voluntary episodes during wakefulness.

Reversibility of deficient sleep entrained growth hormone secretion in a boy with achondroplasia and obstructive sleep apnea.

Obstructive sleep apnea may lead to disordered sleep architecture and impair the physiologic slow wave sleep related growth hormone release. Obstructive sleep apnea occurs with craniofacial syndromes and in children with airway narrowing, pharyngeal hypoplasia, tonsillar adenoidal hypertrophy, micrognathia and achondroplasia. To examine the relationship between disordered sleep and growth hormone release we studied a 9 year old male with achondroplasia, growth failure (3 cm/year) and obstructive sleep apnea. Polysomnography data and a 20 min sampling for sleep entrained growth hormone showed before therapeutic tracheostomy numerous apneic episodes, absent slow wave sleep and abnormal low growth hormone secretion during sleep. Normalized slow wave sleep entrained growth hormone secretion after tracheostomy led to a sustained increase in growth rate. Normal growth rate (greater than 5 cm/year) continues 2 years after tracheostomy. We conclude that obstructive sleep apnea may impair sleep related growth hormone release. Obstructive sleep apnea may be a useful model for other diseases in which growth failure and sleep disturbances are linked.