[Diagnostic spectrum and filter function of ambulatory sleep centers]

In a prospective study all first admittances into the outpatient sleep clinics of the Bezirksklinikum Regensburg and the BKH W-ilershof within 6 months were studied. Data of 212 patients (66% men, median age 51 years, ages from 7 to 88 years) were collected and evaluated. In over 40% of the cases the symptoms had persisted for more than 5 years. The most common main diagnoses were: obstructive sleep apnea (34%), psychophysiological insomnia (21%), restless-legs-syndrome including periodic leg movement in sleep (15%) and sleeping disorders in the context of affective disorders (8.5%). After ambulatory diagnostics 56% were referred to the sleep laboratory within the same hospital, 5% were referred to other sleep laboratories, 22% were treated on an outpatient basis, 7.5% received somatic or psychiatric treatment and only 7% of the patients did not need further treatment. Therefore the function of an outpatient sleep clinic as a filter for further treatment can be proven.