Correlations between subjective and objective features of nocturnal sleep and excessive diurnal sleepiness in patients with narcolepsy.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the correlations between excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), assessed by the Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS), and the multiple sleep latency test (MSLT) and nocturnal sleep architecture features, clinical symptoms of narcolepsy (CSN) and subjective sleep quality (SSQ) in patients with narcolepsy.

METHOD: Twenty three untreated patients were studied and compared with a matched control group. Diagnosis of narcolepsy was carried out employing a clinical interview, a polysomnographic (PSG) record, and an MSLT.

RESULTS

Subjective number of awakenings was the SSQ indicator that best correlated with EDS (ESS and MSLT). Regarding clinical features, diurnal tiredness and sleep paralysis correlated with ESS values. Increase in ESS was related with decrease in total sleep time, SWS, and sleep onset latency. On the other hand, increase in MSLT was related with decrease in SWS.

CONCLUSION

These data suggest that EDS in patients with narcolepsy could be impaired by disturbed nocturnal sleep.