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Schokman A, Cheung J, Milton A, Naehrig D, Thornton N, Bin YS, Kairaitis K, Glozier N. Making sense of narcolepsy: A qualitative exploration of how persons with narcolepsy perceive symptoms and their illness experience. Sleep Med 2024; 116:62-70. [PMID: 38430792 DOI: 10.1016/j.sleep.2024.02.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Understanding how persons with narcolepsy conceptualize symptoms, daily impact and illness experience is key to facilitating dialogue between patients and healthcare professionals. These concepts are usually explored from the perspective of healthcare professionals/researchers and rarely from the perspective of those with narcolepsy. METHODS 127 self-reported persons with narcolepsy were recruited from an Australian patient support group. A short demographic survey was completed. All agreed to participate in a subsequent 1:1 semi-structured interview. Saturation was reached after 24 interviews (mean age = 33 years (SD 11) with 44% reporting cataplexy). A multidisciplinary team of researchers/clinicians analyzed interview transcripts using thematic analysis. RESULTS Participants perceived physical fatigue, sleepiness, and two separate experiences of 'falling asleep/sleep attacks' as distinct symptoms rather than a multidimensional construct (i.e. excessive daytime sleepiness). We also identified two experiences of cataplexy, one triggered by acute emotion and another by a stressor. Participants determined their narcolepsy to be 'well-managed' by the level of functional impairment rather than the frequency of any symptom. Almost all participants described experiencing anticipated stigma and internalized or 'self-' stigma, likely stemming from societal devaluation of sleep and the conflation of sleepiness with laziness. CONCLUSION Descriptions of common symptoms often differed between participants and the existing literature. These differences likely impact patient-physician communication, with both parties utilizing the same terminology to communicate different concepts. The characterization of stigma in narcolepsy presents opportunities for future research exploring the impact and possible development of interventions to reduce the substantial psychological comorbidity in persons with narcolepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron Schokman
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia; Sleep Research Group, Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia.
| | - Janet Cheung
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
| | - Alyssa Milton
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
| | - Diana Naehrig
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
| | - Nicollette Thornton
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
| | - Yu Sun Bin
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia; Sleep Research Group, Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
| | - Kristina Kairaitis
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia; Department of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, The University of Sydney at Westmead Hospital, Westmead, NSW, Australia; Ludwig Engel Centre for Respiratory Research, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Westmead, NSW, Australia
| | - Nick Glozier
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
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Stranks L, Ellender CM, Wong K, Naqvi H, Grunstein R, Yee BJ, Sivam S. Retrospective cohort study of hypersomnias of central origin from two Australian tertiary sleep disorders services. Intern Med J 2023; 53:1783-1789. [PMID: 36043439 DOI: 10.1111/imj.15920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hypersomnias of central origin (HOCO) are diverse in origin and symptomatology and remain poorly described in an Australian population. We hypothesised that the rate of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) DQB1*0602 positivity in the Australian cohort would be comparable to international registries. AIMS The current study aims to evaluate epidemiological and clinical characteristics of Australian patients with HOCO, including prevalence of HLA DQB1*0602 positivity, the most specific HLA marker associated with narcolepsy. METHODS This is a retrospective study. Patients ≥ 16 years of age presenting with symptoms of hypersomnolence who attended one of two Australian sleep centres (New South Wales and Queensland) in the preceding 24 months and had undergone both HLA serology and multiple sleep latency tests (MSLTs) were included. Main outcome measures included demographics, HLA DQB1*0602 positivity, MSLT, and clinical parameters (presence of auxiliary narcolepsy symptoms, laboratory tests, relevant prescribed medications). RESULTS Eighty-eight patients were included. HLA DQB1*0602 positivity was highest in those with type 1 narcolepsy (NT1) (95.7%) and lowest in those without a classifiable disorder (9.1%). Mean sleep latency was lowest and number of sleep-onset rapid eye movement periods (SOREMPs) highest in the NT1 group. Comorbid disorders, particularly depression and overweight/obesity, were prevalent in all cohorts. Across all diagnostic groups, dexamphetamine was the most commonly prescribed agent for excessive daytime sleepiness. CONCLUSIONS Patients with HOCO assessed in two specialised Australian clinics demonstrate comparable clinical characteristics to other published cohorts internationally; however, available pharmacological agents in Australia do not reflect international standards of care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lachlan Stranks
- Woolcock Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Department of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | | | - Keith Wong
- Woolcock Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Department of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Haider Naqvi
- Woolcock Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Ron Grunstein
- Woolcock Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Brendon J Yee
- Woolcock Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Department of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Sheila Sivam
- Woolcock Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Department of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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Gudka S, Haynes E, Scotney J, Mukherjee S, Frenkel S, Sivam S, Swieca J, Chamula K, Cunnington D, Saini B. Narcolepsy: Comorbidities, complexities and future directions. Sleep Med Rev 2022; 65:101669. [PMID: 36037569 DOI: 10.1016/j.smrv.2022.101669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2022] [Revised: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Patients with narcolepsy live with a lifelong sleep-wake disorder, impairing their quality of life, productivity, educational and employment outcomes. Clinicians are becoming aware that a significant aspect of the burden of this disease relates to frequent comorbid conditions, including aspects of the patient's emotional, metabolic, sleep and immune health. This review explores the literature describing the comorbidities seen in patients with narcolepsy, to enhance understanding of these often complex presentations. It hopes to encourage a multidisciplinary approach, to collaborate with patients and a broad clinical team, and to maximise clinical and quality of life outcomes, for those living with narcolepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sajni Gudka
- Urban Impact Project and Adjunct Senior Research Fellow, School of Population and Global Health, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Emma Haynes
- Urban Impact Project and Research Fellow, School of Population and Global Health, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | | | - Sutapa Mukherjee
- Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, Adelaide Institute for Sleep Health, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University and Respiratory and Sleep Services, Southern Adelaide Local Health Network, SA Health, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | | | - Sheila Sivam
- Woolcock Institute of Medical Research, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - John Swieca
- Sleep Doctors Australia, Melbourne Sleep Disorders Centre, VIC, Australia
| | | | | | - Bandana Saini
- Woolcock Institute of Medical Research, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia; University of Sydney School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Woolcock Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
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