Diagnosing narcolepsy with cataplexy on history alone: challenging the International Classification of Sleep Disorders (ICSD-2) criteria.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The second version of the International Classification of Sleep Disorders suggests narcolepsy with cataplexy can be diagnosed on history alone.

PATIENTS: Five patients with a history supportive of narcolepsy/cataplexy.

METHOD: Case review following clinical investigation.

RESULTS

None of the five patients had a diagnosis of narcolepsy/cataplexy on the basis of objective testing using polysomnography (PSG) and multiple sleep latency testing (MSLT).

CONCLUSION

PSG and MSLT should always be used in conjunction with a comprehensive history taken by an experienced sleep physician to support a diagnosis of narcolepsy with cataplexy and to exclude other conditions that may mimic narcolepsy.