Sleeplessness and Circadian Rhythm Disorder Workup

  • Author: Mary E Cataletto, MD; Chief Editor: Selim R Benbadis, MD   more...
 
Updated: Mar 22, 2012
 

Approach Considerations

When assessing sleeplessness, a sleep log is often used. Although not technically a laboratory test, this diary allows identification of sleep-wake cycles in the patient's normal environment and permits subjective assessment of alertness over a 2-week time period. The Practice Parameters (2007) from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommend the use of sleep logs in the evaluation of the following sleep disorders[7] :

  • Shift-work syndrome
  • Jet lag
  • Advanced sleep-phase syndrome (ASPS)
  • Delayed sleep-phase syndrome (DSPS)
  • Free-running disorder
  • Irregular sleep-wake rhythm

Failure to diagnose other medical conditions associated with increased daytime sleepiness, such as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), may carry significant consequences in terms of added morbidity and mortality. Another potential treatment pitfall is failure to assess a patient’s risk for motor vehicle accidents.

Implicit in the diagnosis of circadian rhythm disorder is a desire to conform to traditionally accepted sleep-wake patterns.

Imaging studies

Consider imaging studies if the patient is to be evaluated for neurodegenerative disease. Also consider imaging studies in patients with OSA to determine the etiology of obstruction.

Actigraphy

An actigraph is a small motion-sensing device worn on the nondominant wrist, generally for 1 week. It is based on the premise that wrist motion is decreased during sleep. This allows a very gross measurement of sleep-wake cycles over time. It is not routinely indicated to treat jet lag.

Overnight polysomnography

This study is of value in identifying the patient with OSA, periodic limb movements of sleep (PLMS), or sleep-state misperception. It also is used in conjunction with the Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT) to evaluate patients with narcolepsy. It is not routinely used in the diagnostic evaluation of patients with insomnia or in the diagnostic evaluation of patients with circadian rhythm disturbances.

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Sleep Tests

Multiple Sleep Latency Test

The MSLT allows for objective measurement of sleepiness. Normal adult values range from 10-20 minutes, whereas sleep latencies of less than 5 minutes indicate abnormal sleepiness. MSLT is indicated when suspicion of narcolepsy is raised by the clinical history. Following a normal night's sleep documented by overnight polysomnography, specific abnormalities in MSLT (ie, 2 or more sleep-onset rapid eye movements [SOREMs]) support a diagnosis of narcolepsy.

Epworth Sleepiness Scale

The Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) is based on a questionnaire that asks patients to rate their responses to 8 situations on a scale of 0-3, based on whether the situation was likely to be associated with dozing behavior. It was designed to give an indication of sleepiness and has been correlated with sleep apnea.

Morningness Eveningness Questionnaire

The evidence is insufficient to recommend the routine use of the Morningness Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ) for the evaluation of circadian rhythm disturbances.

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Mary E Cataletto, MD  Director of Children's Sleep Services, Winthrop Sleep Disorders Center; Professor of Clinical Pediatrics, State University of New York at Stony Brook

Mary E Cataletto, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics and American College of Chest Physicians

Disclosure: Shering Plough Pharmaceuticals Honoraria Consulting

Coauthor(s)

Gila Hertz, PhD, ABSM  Director, Center for Insomnia and Sleep Disorders, Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, State University of New York at Stony Brook

Gila Hertz, PhD, ABSM is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Sleep Medicine and American Psychological Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Selim R Benbadis, MD  Professor, Director of Comprehensive Epilepsy Program, Departments of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Tampa General Hospital, University of South Florida College of Medicine

Selim R Benbadis, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Neurology, American Academy of Sleep Medicine, American Clinical Neurophysiology Society, American Epilepsy Society, and American Medical Association

Disclosure: UCB Pharma Honoraria Speaking, consulting; Lundbeck Honoraria Speaking, consulting; Cyberonics Honoraria Speaking, consulting; Glaxo Smith Kline Honoraria Speaking, consulting; Pfizer Honoraria Speaking, consulting; Sleepmed/DigiTrace Honoraria Speaking, consulting

Additional Contributors

Norberto Alvarez, MD Assistant Professor, Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School; Consulting Staff, Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital; Medical Director, Wrentham Developmental Center

Norberto Alvarez, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Neurology, American Epilepsy Society, and Child Neurology Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Carmel Armon, MD, MSc, MHS Professor of Neurology, Tufts University School of Medicine; Chief, Division of Neurology, Baystate Medical Center

Carmel Armon, MD, MSc, MHS is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Neurology, American Academy of Sleep Medicine, American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine, American Clinical Neurophysiology Society, American College of Physicians, American Epilepsy Society, American Medical Association, American Neurological Association, American Stroke Association, Massachusetts Medical Society, Movement Disorders Society, and Sigma Xi

Disclosure: Avanir Pharmaceuticals Consulting fee Consulting

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Medscape Salary Employment

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