Polysomnography and sleep disorder centers

Sleep disorders are common in our society. It is estimated that there are 50 million people in the United States who suffer to varying degrees from sleep problems. A great deal has been learned about sleep during the past 40 years. Much of this knowledge has been obtained by the use of PSG, which consists of the simultaneous recording of several physiologic parameters from a patient just prior to and during sleep. Much of the technology utilized in PSG are based on individual tests developed many years ago. Current published data permit the conclusion that PSG is useful for the diagnostic evaluation of patients with sleep-related breathing disorders, may be helpful in the evaluation of suspected cases of narcolepsy wherein other findings are inconclusive or contradictory, and may be helpful in cases of parasomnias and/or suspected epilepsy wherein the distinction between seizure activity and other forms of sleep disturbance is uncertain. Current data do not permit a firm conclusion as to the clinical effectiveness of PSG in other symptoms of sleep disturbance such as insomnia. Current, ongoing clinical trials are expected to provide information addressing this point, and several agencies (NINDS, ADAMHA, and NIA) have expressed their intent to encourage the organization of prospective trials to determine the ultimate clinical utility of SDC and PSG techniques. A physician need not be present during PSG in an SDC.