Comparative analysis of multiple sleep latency tests (MSLT) parameters and occurrence of dreaming in patients with daytime sleepiness of narcoleptic and non-narcoleptic origin

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To compare MSLT parameters in two groups of patients with daytime sleepiness, correlated to the occurrence and onset of dreams. METHOD: Patients were submitted to the MSLT between January/1999 and June/2002. Sleep onset latency, REM sleep latency and total sleep time were determined. The occurrence of dreams was inquired following each MSLT series. Patients were classified as narcoleptic (N) or non-narcoleptic (NN). RESULTS: Thirty patients were studied, 12 were classified as narcoleptics (N group; 40%), while the remaining 18 as non-narcoleptic (NN group; 60%). Thirty MSLT were performed, resulting in 146 series. Sleep was detected in 126 series (86%) and dreams in 56 series (44.44%). Mean sleep time in the N group was 16.0±6.3 min, while 10.5±7.5 min in the NN group (p<0.0001). Mean sleep latency was 2.0±2.2 min and 7.2±6.0 min in the N and NN group, respectively (p<0.001). Mean REM sleep latency in the N group was 3.2±3.1min and 6.9±3.7 min in the NN group (p=0.021). Dreams occurred in 56.9% of the N group series and 28.4% in that of the NN group (p=0.0009). Dream frequency was detected in 29.8% and 75% of the NREM series of the N and NN groups, respectively (p=0.0001). CONCLUSION: Patients from the N group, compared to the NN group, slept longer and earlier, demonstrated a shorter REM sleep onset and greater dream frequency. NN patients had a greater dream frequency in NREM series. Thus, the occurrence of dreams during NREM in the MSLT may contribute to differentially diagnose narcolepsy and daytime sleepiness. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ABSTRACT

OBJETIVO: Comparar variáveis do TLMS em dois grupos de pacientes hipersones e correlacionar presença e momento de ocorrência de sonhos. MÉTODO: Os pacientes foram submetidos a TLMS entre janeiro de 1999 e junho de 2002. Analisou-se a média das latências de sono, latências de sono REM e tempo total de sono. A presença de sonhos foi inquirida após cada série. Classificou-se os pacientes em narcolépticos (N) e não-narcolépticos (NN). RESULTADOS: Do total de 30 pacientes, 12 foram classificados no grupo N (40%) e 18 no NN (60%). Dos 30 TLMS foram obtidas 146 séries. Houve sono em126 (86%) e sonho em 56 (44,44%). O tempo médio de sono no grupo N foi 16,0±6,3min e no NN 10,5±7,5min (p<0,0001). A latência média de sono no grupo N foi 2,0±2,2min e no NN 7,2±6,0min (p<0,001). A latência média do sono REM no N foi 3,2±3,1min e no NN 6,9±3,7min (p=0,021). Houve sonhos em 56,9% das séries do grupo N e 28,4% do NN (p=0,0009). A freqüência de sonhos em séries NREM no N foi 29,8 % e no NN 75% (p= 0,0001). CONCLUSÃO: Os pacientes do grupo N dormiram mais e mais rapidamente, apresentaram REM mais precocemente e maior freqüência de sonhos que os NN. Estes apresentaram maior freqüência de sonhos em séries NREM. A presença de sonhos em NREM no TLMS pode contribuir no diagnóstico diferencial entre narcolepsia e hipersonia diurna.