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Excessive sleepiness: under-recognized and essential marker for sleep/wake disorder management
T Roth1, R K Bogan, L Culpepper
1Henry Ford Hospital, Sleep Disorders Center, Detroit, MI 48202, USA. TRoth1@hfhs.org
Current Medical Research and Opinion
|November 17, 2010
Summary
Excessive sleepiness (ES) and related sleep disorders are common and serious. This framework helps primary care physicians recognize, diagnose, and manage these conditions for better patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Sleep Medicine
- Primary Care Medicine
- Clinical Practice Guidelines
Background:
- Excessive sleepiness (ES) and related sleep disorders are linked to significant morbidity and mortality.
- Clinical recognition of ES and its comorbidities remains suboptimal, especially in primary care.
- Primary care settings offer opportunities for accessible sleep/wakefulness assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish an educational framework for primary care physicians.
- To guide comprehensive assessment, differential diagnosis, and management of ES.
- To address ES and related sleep/wake disorders in primary care.
Main Methods:
- A modified, two-round Delphi approach was employed.
- The Sleep/Wake Disorders Working Group (SWG) included sleep specialists and primary care physicians.
- Consensus recommendations were developed for assessment, diagnosis, and treatment.
Main Results:
- Ten consensus statements were created for six common sleep/wake disorders.
- Recommendations cover assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing care.
- Included disorders: ES, insomnia, obstructive sleep apnea, circadian rhythm disorders, restless legs syndrome, and narcolepsy.
Conclusions:
- ES and associated sleep disorders are prevalent in primary care.
- An educational framework can improve recognition, diagnosis, and management.
- Enhanced primary care management of ES aims to improve patient outcomes.
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