Does age at the onset of narcolepsy influence the course and severity of the disease?
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study is to compare the course and severity of narcolepsy in relation to different ages at the disease onset.


METHODS
Clinical interviews with the completion of the Stanford questionnaire, Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT) were evaluated in 105 patients (44 males, 61 females, mean age 45.4+/-19.2, BMI 29.2+/-5.8) suffering from narcolepsy.


RESULTS
The severity of the disease was judged by clinical complaints, ESS value and MSLT results. No relations with the age at onset and clinical tetrad were found, however, smoking may be associated with an increased risk of hypnagogic hallucinations. There was no correlation between the number of sleep and cataplectic attacks and the age at onset, nor did subjective ESS show any significant dependence. However, earlier onset of the disease correlated with shorter MSLT mean latency. A correlation was found between the BMI and narcolepsy sleepiness rating in the elderly and between degree of education attained and subjective complaints.


CONCLUSIONS
The clinical severity of narcolepsy does not depend on the age at onset.
Nevsimalova
Sona
S
Charles University, Department of Neurology, Prague, Czech Republic. snevsi@LF1.cuni.cz
Buskova
Jitka
J
Kemlink
David
D
Sonka
Karel
K
Skibova
Jelena
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017668:Age of Onset; D015992:Body Mass Index; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009290:Narcolepsy / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D055815:Young Adult
D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants