[Evaluation of a simplified maintenance of wakefulness test for the diagnosis of daytime sleepiness].
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to assess a simplified maintenance of wakefulness test (Oxford SLEep Resistance test, OSLER test) in evaluating excessive daytime sleepiness.


METHODS
Seventy-four snorers with or without obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) were studied. Two OSLER tests were performed in the afternoon with a gap of 30 minutes. Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS) was also recorded. An overnight sleep study using a multi-channel system was performed to distinguish nonapneic snorers (snorer group, n = 43) from OSAHS patients (OSAHS group, n = 31). The OSLER test was repeated in the OSAHS group after two month treatment with nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP).


RESULTS
There was a significant difference in sleep latency measured by the OSLER test between the OSAHS group and the snorer group (16.03 +/- 12.27 vs 25.70 +/- 14.62, P < 0.01). A significant correlation was found between sleep latency and ESS (r = -0.45, P < 0.01). Twenty-five of the 31 patients in the OSAHS group were treated with CPAP for two months. Sleep latency increased from 16.20 +/- 12.98 to 36.38 +/- 21.10 after treatment (P < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
The OSLER test appears useful in assessing excessive daytime sleepiness.
Luo
Yuan-Ming
YM
Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Diseases, Guangzhou 510120, China.
Zhong
Nan-Shan
NS
D000328:Adult; D045422:Continuous Positive Airway Pressure; D006970:Disorders of Excessive Somnolence / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D017286:Polysomnography / Q000379:methods; D011930:Reaction Time; D012016:Reference Values; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D012894:Sleep Stages / Q000502:physiology; D012913:Snoring; D014851:Wakefulness / Q000502:physiology*