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

Authors: Morrison, I.¹; Bušková, J.²; Nevšimalová, S.²; Douglas, N. J.³; Riha, R. L.³

Source: European Journal of Neurology, Volume 18, Number 7, July 2011 , pp. 1017-1020(4)

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Abstract:

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.

Keywords: cataplexy; multiple sleep latency testing; narcolepsy; pseudonarcolepsy; somatoform disorders

Document Type: Short communication

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-1331.2010.03223.x

Affiliations: 1: Department of Neurology, Institute of Neurological Sciences, Glasgow, UK 2: Department of Neurology, First Medical Faculty, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic 3: Department of Sleep Medicine, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK

Publication date: 2011-07-01