Sleep apnoea-hypopnoea syndrome and narcolepsy. Description of a series of hospital patients

Introduction. Sleep disorders are highly prevalent among the general population, although very few cases of sleep apnoea-hypopnoea syndrome (SAHS) have been reported in patients with narcolepsy. This study reviews the sleep disorders found in patients with narcolepsy, the prevalence of SAHS associated with these patients and their response to the different treatments. Patients and methods. We conducted an observation-based retrospective descriptive analysis of 25 patients diagnosed with narcolepsy, who were treated in our centre between October 2012 and December 2016. Results. Of 470 patients evaluated in the specialised neurology consultation unit, 25 patients were diagnosed with narcolepsy (5.31%); 65% were males and the remaining 35% were females; the mean age at the time of diagnosis was 40 years. 60% presented other associated sleep disorders, the most frequent being SAHS (36%). The efficacy rate of treatment with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is 66% in patients with SAHS with an indication of CPAP. Conclusions. Altogether, 60% of patients with narcolepsy have a second associated sleep disorder (greater than the incidence of coexistence in the general population, of 20-25% of patients), and those reported are also the most frequent among the general population (SAHS, restless legs syndrome, periodic limb movement disorder). 36% of patients with narcolepsy have SAHS as an associated condition. Of these, 78% have reached a suitable degree of control over respiratory events; 57% have achieved control with CPAP, and the remaining 43% did not require CPAP for event correction with other methods.