Comparative levels of excessive daytime sleepiness in common medical disorders

Abstract

Introduction Sleep restriction and sleep disorders are common causes of excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS). Medical disorders (MD) can also cause EDS, but previous studies have used non-standardized measures, selected samples, or have examined EDS in singular disorders. This study describes the relative degree of EDS associated with medical disorders to provide comparative data across a range of common medical conditions in a large unselected community-based sample. Methods Responses of 2612 individuals (aged 18-65) were assessed after excluding those with suspected sleep disordered breathing, narcolepsy, and shift workers. Participants across a range of medical disorders were evaluated using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and patient reports of nocturnal sleep. Results Sixty-seven percent of the sample reported a MD. The prevalence of EDS (ESS ≥ 10) was 31.4% in individuals with MD and increased as a function of number of MD (0 MD = 29.4%, 1 MD = 28.4%, 2 MD = 31.0%, 3 MD = 35.3%, 4 MD = 38.4%). Disorders which were independent predictors of EDS were ulcers OR = 2.21 (95% CI = 1.35 - 3.61), migraines OR = 1.36 (95% CI = 1.08 – 1.72), and depression OR = 1.46 (95% CI = 1.16 – 1.83) after controlling for other conditions, age, gender, time in bed, caffeine, smoking and alcohol use. Participants with ulcers had the highest prevalence of sleepiness, 50.0%, as well as the highest level of problems falling asleep (40.8%) and awakenings during the night (62.5%). Conclusions Individuals with ulcers, migraines, and depression have independent and clinically significant levels of EDS relative to other common MD.

Sleep Problems, Suicidality and Depression among American Indian Youth

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Circadian rhythm characteristics, poor sleep quality, daytime sleepiness and common psychiatric disorders among Thai college students

“…Our findings are largely consistent with prior studies that reported a significant association between CPD and daytime sleepiness. For instance, Stroe et al (2010), in their study among individuals with various medical disorders, noted a nearly 50% increased risk of daytime sleepiness among individuals with a CPD (OR=1.46; 95% CI 1.16–1.83). In concordance with these findings, Theorell-Haglöw et al (2006) in Sweden found that participants with anxiety and depression had approximately 4.5 times higher odds of experiencing daytime sleepiness relative to healthy controls (OR=4.51; 95% CI 3.51–5.79).…”

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