title: Usefulness of polysomnography in epilepsy patients.
abstract: We reviewed the records of 63 adult epilepsy patients who underwent polysomnograms in our laboratory since 1985 to determine the indications for polysomnography and the results of testing. Reasons for referral included excessive daytime sleepiness, suspected obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and characterization of nocturnal spells. The most common polysomnographic diagnosis was OSA, although we also found narcolepsy, insufficient sleep syndrome with possible idiopathic hypersomnolence, and previously unrecognized nocturnal seizures. We treated OSA with continuous positive airway pressure in 28 patients, 15 of whom were using the device at follow-up appointments. The majority of patients treated for OSA or other disorders reported an improvement in sleepiness or seizure control. Polysomnography, when indicated, is beneficial in epilepsy patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, USA.
authors.forename: B A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Malow
authors.forename: G A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Fromes
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Aldrich
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017286:Polysomnography; D011175:Positive-Pressure Respiration; D011930:Reaction Time; D012890:Sleep / Q000502:physiology; D012891:Sleep Apnea Syndromes / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D012894:Sleep Stages; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires