Authors: Heier, M. S.¹; Evsiukova, T.²; Wilson, J.²; Abdelnoor, M.³; Hublin, C.⁴; Ervik, S.¹

Source: Acta Neurologica Scandinavica, Volume 120, Number 4, October 2009 , pp. 276-280(5)

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Abstract:

Heier MS, Evsiukova T, Wilson J, Abdelnoor M, Hublin C, Ervik S. Prevalence of narcolepsy with cataplexy in Norway.

Acta Neurol Scand: 2009: 120: 276-280.

© 2009 The Authors Journal compilation © 2009 Blackwell Munksgaard. Objectives - 

Narcolepsy is a lifelong disabling disorder that may be alleviated by relevant treatment. Patients frequently report 10-15 years from the first symptoms to the time they get the diagnosis and treatment can be started. In order to offer a sufficient diagnostic and therapeutic service to this patient group, a reliable estimation of the prevalence of the disorder is important. A study of the prevalence of narcolepsy with cataplexy in Norway was therefore undertaken. Materials and methods - 

The Ullanlinna Narcolepsy scale (UNS) was sent to 14548 randomly selected Norwegians between 20 and 60 years. Additionally, the study included telephone interviews and clinical evaluation of responders with ≥14 points on the UNS, and in those with suspected narcolepsy, polygraphic sleep recordings and human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-typing. Results - 

A total of 8992 responders answered the questionnaire (response rate 61.8%), 267 had ≥14 points on the UNS, 156 were interviewed and 15 had sleep recordings. In two HLADQB1*0602-positive patients sleep recordings were compatible with narcolepsy. Conclusions - 

The results indicate a prevalence of 0.022% and approximately 1000 patients with narcolepsy with cataplexy in Norway.

Keywords: cataplexy; epidemiology; hypersomnia; narcolepsy; prevalence

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0404.2009.01166.x

Affiliations: 1: Norwegian Resource Center for AD/HD, Tourettes Syndrome and Narcolepsy, Ullevål University Hospital, Oslo, Norway 2: Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, Ullevål University Hospital, Oslo, Norway 3: Department of Clinical Research, Ullevål University Hospital, Oslo, Norway 4: Brain@Work Research Center, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland

Publication date: 2009-10-01

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