Awakening to sleep disorders in Europe: Survey on education, knowledge and treatment competence of European residents and neurologists.

OBJECTIVES Sleep-wake disorders are common in the general population and in most neurological disorders but are often poorly recognized. With the hypothesis that neurologists do not get sufficient training during their residency, the Young European Sleep Neurologist Association (YESNA) of the European Academy of Neurology (EAN) performed a survey on postgraduate sleep education. METHODS A 16-item questionnaire was developed and distributed among neurologists and residents across European countries. Questions assessed demographic, training and learning preferences in sleep disorders, as well as a self-evaluation of knowledge based on five basic multiple-choice questions (MCQs) on sleep-wake disorders. RESULTS The questionnaire was completed by 568 participants from 20 European countries. The mean age of participants was 31.9 years (SD 7.4 years) and was composed mostly of residents (73%). Three-quarters of the participants reported undergraduate training in sleep medicine, while fewer than 60% did not receive any training on sleep disorders during their residencies. Almost half of the participants (45%) did not feel prepared to treat neurological patients with sleep problems. Only one-third of the participants correctly answered at least three MCQs. Notably, 80% of participants favoured more education on sleep-wake disorders during the neurology residency. CONCLUSIONS Education and knowledge on disorders in European neurological residents is generally insufficient, despite a strong interest in the topic. The results of our study may be useful for improving the European neurology curriculum and other postgraduate educational programmes

Awakening to sleep disorders in Europe: survey on education, knowledge, and treatment competence of European residents and neurologists

OBJECTIVES Sleep-wake disorders are common in the general population and in most neurological disorders but are often poorly recognized. With the hypothesis that neurologists do not get sufficient training during their residency, the Young European Sleep Neurologist Association (YESNA) of the European Academy of Neurology (EAN) performed a survey on postgraduate sleep education. METHODS A 16-item questionnaire was developed and distributed among neurologists and residents across European countries. Questions assessed demographic, training and learning preferences in sleep disorders, as well as a self-evaluation of knowledge based on five basic multiple-choice questions (MCQs) on sleep-wake disorders. RESULTS The questionnaire was completed by 568 participants from 20 European countries. The mean age of participants was 31.9 years (SD 7.4 years) and was composed mostly of residents (73%). Three-quarters of the participants reported undergraduate training in sleep medicine, while fewer than 60% did not receive any training on sleep disorders during their residencies. Almost half of the participants (45%) did not feel prepared to treat neurological patients with sleep problems. Only one-third of the participants correctly answered at least three MCQs. Notably, 80% of participants favoured more education on sleep-wake disorders during the neurology residency. CONCLUSIONS Education and knowledge on disorders in European neurological residents is generally insufficient, despite a strong interest in the topic. The results of our study may be useful for improving the European neurology curriculum and other postgraduate educational programmes

A single-question screen for rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder:a multicenter validation study

BACKGROUND: Idiopathic REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD) is a parasomnia that is an important risk factor for PD and Lewy body dementia. Its prevalence is unknown. One barrier to determining prevalence is that current screening tools are too long for large-scale epidemiologic surveys. Therefore, we designed the REM Sleep Behavior Disorder Single-Question Screen (RBD1Q), a screening question for dream enactment with a simple yes/no response. METHODS: Four hundred and eighty-four sleep-clinic– based participants (242 idiopathic RBD patients and 242 controls) completed the screen during a multicenter case-control study. All participants underwent a polysomnogram to define gold-standard diagnosis according to standard criteria. RESULTS: We found a sensitivity of 93.8% and a specificity of 87.2%. Sensitivity and specificity were similar in healthy volunteers, compared to controls or patients, with other sleep diagnoses. CONCLUSIONS: A single-question screen for RBD may reliably detect disease, with psychometric properties favorably comparable to those reported for longer questionnaires

A single-question screen for rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder: a multicenter validation study

BACKGROUND: Idiopathic rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder (RBD) is a parasomnia that is an important risk factor for Parkinson's disease (PD) and Lewy body dementia. Its prevalence is unknown. One barrier to determining prevalence is that current screening tools are too long for large-scale epidemiologic surveys. Therefore, we designed the REM Sleep Behavior Disorder Single-Question Screen (RBD1Q), a screening question for dream enactment with a simple yes/no response. METHODS: Four hundred and eighty-four sleep-clinic-based participants (242 idiopathic RBD patients and 242 controls) completed the screen during a multicenter case-control study. All participants underwent a polysomnogram to define gold-standard diagnosis according to standard criteria. RESULTS: We found a sensitivity of 93.8% and a specificity of 87.2%. Sensitivity and specificity were similar in healthy volunteers, compared to controls or patients with other sleep diagnoses. CONCLUSIONS: A single-question screen for RBD may reliably detect disease, with psychometric properties favorably comparable to those reported for longer questionnaires

Fluoxetine for the Symptomatic Treatment of Multiple System Atrophy: The MSA-FLUO Trial

BACKGROUND: There are no effective treatments for multiple system atrophy (MSA). OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of the serotonin reuptake inhibitor fluoxetine (40 mg/d) for the symptomatic treatment of MSA. METHODS: This was a double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled, randomized trial in patients with "probable" MSA. The primary outcome was the change from baseline to week 12 in the mean total score of the Unified MSA Rating Scale (UMSARS Parts I + II). Secondary outcomes included change from baseline to week 6 in total UMSARS, and change from baseline to week 12 in the Scales for Outcomes in Parkinson Disease-Autonomic Dysfunction, Beck Depression Inventory, and different domains of the MSA-Quality of Life Questionnaire. Exploratory outcomes included change from baseline to week 12 in the UMSARS Parts I and II separately and change from baseline to week 24 in the total UMSARS score. RESULTS: A total of 81 patients were randomly assigned, with no significant difference in the primary outcome (-2.13 units [95% confidence interval, CI, -4.55 to 0.29]; P = 0.08). There was a greater reduction on fluoxetine in the change from baseline to 12-week in UMSARS Part II (exploratory outcome: -1.41 units [95% CI, -2.84; 0.03]; p = 0.05) and in MSA-QoL emotional/social dimension (secondary outcome: -6.99 units [95% CI, -13.40; -0.56]; p < 0.03). A total of 5 deaths occurred (3 on fluoxetine and 2 on placebo). CONCLUSION: The MSA-FLUO failed to demonstrate fluoxetine superiority over placebo on the total UMSARS score, whereas trends in motor and emotional secondary/exploratory outcomes deserve further investigation. © 2021 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society

Comorbidity and medication in REM sleep behavior disorder:a multicenter case-control study

OBJECTIVE: This controlled study investigated associations between comorbidity and medication in patients with polysomnographically confirmed idiopathic REM sleep behavior disorder (iRBD), using a large multicenter clinic-based cohort. METHODS: Data of a self-administered questionnaire on comorbidity and medication use of 318 patients with iRBD and 318 matched controls were analyzed. Comparisons between cases and controls were made using logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Patients with iRBD were more likely to report depression (odds ratio [OR] 2.0, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.3–2.9) and concomitant antidepressant use (OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.4–3.6). Subanalysis of antidepressant agents revealed that the increased use of antidepressants in iRBD was due to selective serotoninergic reuptake inhibitors (OR 3.6, 95% CI 1.8–7.0) and not due to other antidepressant classes. Patients with iRBD reported more lifetime antidepressant use than comorbid depression (antidepressant use: OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.1–3.3; depression: OR 1.6, 95% CI 1.0–2.5). Patients with iRBD reported more ischemic heart disease (OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.1–3.1). This association did not change substantially when adjusting for cardiovascular risk factors (OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.3–3.9). The use of inhaled glucocorticoids was higher in patients with iRBD compared to controls (OR 5.3, 95% CI 1.8–15.8), likely reflecting the higher smoking rate in iRBD (smoking: OR 15.3, 95% CI 2.0–118.8; nonsmoking: OR 2.4, 95% CI 0.4–13.2) and consequent pulmonary disease. CONCLUSIONS: This large study confirms the association between comorbid depression and antidepressant use in iRBD. In addition, there was an unexpected association of iRBD with ischemic heart disease that was not explained by cardiovascular risk factors

Excessive Daytime Sleepiness in Multiple System Atrophy (SLEEMSA Study)

system atrophy (MSA), but the prevalence of excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) is not well known. Objective: To assess the frequency and associations of EDS in MSA. Design: Survey of EDS in consecutive patients with MSA and comparison with patients with Parkinson disease (PD) and individuals without known neurologic disease. Setting: Twelve tertiary referral centers. Participants: Eighty-six consecutive patients with MSA; 86 patients with PD matched for age, sex, and Hoehn and Yahr stage; and 86 healthy subject individuals matched for age and sex. Main Outcome Measures: Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), modified ESS, Sudden Onset of Sleep Scale, Tandberg Sleepiness Scale, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, disease severity, dopaminergic treatment amount, and presence of restless legs syndrome. Results: Mean (SD) ESS scores were comparable in MSA (7.72 [5.05]) and PD (8.23 [4.62]) but were higher than in healthy subjects (4.52 [2.98]) (P 10) was present in 28% of patients with MSA, 29% of patients with PD, and 2% of healthy subjects (P <.001). In MSA, in contrast to PD, the amount of dopaminergic treatment was not correlated with EDS. Disease severity was weakly correlated with EDS in MSA and PD. Restless legs syndrome occurred in 28% of patients with MSA, 14% of patients with PD, and 7% of healthy subjects (P <.001). Multiple regression analysis (with 95% confidence intervals obtained using nonparametric bootstrapping) showed that sleep-disordered breathing and sleep efficiency predicted EDS in MSA and amount of dopaminergic treatment and presence of restless legs syndrome in PD. Conclusions: More than one-quarter of patients with MSA experience EDS, a frequency similar to that encountered in PD. In these 2 conditions, EDS seems to be associated with different causes. Arch Neurol. 2011; 68(2):223-23

Comorbidity and medication in REM sleep behavior disorder: A multicenter case-control study

none29Objective: This controlled study investigated associations between comorbidity and medication in patients with polysomnographically confirmed idiopathic REM sleep behavior disorder (iRBD), using a large multicenter clinic-based cohort. Methods: Data of a self-administered questionnaire on comorbidity and medication use of 318 patients with iRBD and 318 matched controls were analyzed. Comparisons between cases and controls were made using logistic regression analysis. Results: Patients with iRBD were more likely to report depression (odds ratio [OR] 2.0, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.3-2.9) and concomitant antidepressant use (OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.4-3.6). Subanalysis of antidepressant agents revealed that the increased use of antidepressants in iRBD was due to selective serotoninergic reuptake inhibitors (OR 3.6, 95% CI 1.8-7.0) and not due to other antidepressant classes. Patients with iRBD reported more lifetime antidepressant use than comorbid depression (antidepressant use: OR 1.9, 95%CI 1.1-3.3; depression: OR 1.6, 95%CI 1.0-2.5). Patients with iRBD reported more ischemic heart disease (OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.1-3.1). This association did not change substantially when adjusting for cardiovascular risk factors (OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.3-3.9). The use of inhaled glucocorticoids was higher in patients with iRBD compared to controls (OR 5.3, 95% CI 1.8-15.8), likely reflecting the higher smoking rate in iRBD (smoking: OR 15.3, 95%CI 2.0-118.8; nonsmoking: OR 2.4, 95%CI 0.4-13.2) and consequent pulmonary disease. Conclusions: This large study confirms the association between comorbid depression and antidepressant use in iRBD. In addition, there was an unexpected association of iRBD with ischemic heart disease that was not explained by cardiovascular risk factors. © 2014 American Academy of Neurology.noneFrauscher B.; Jennum P.; Ju Y.-E.S.; Postuma R.B.; Arnulf I.; De Cock V.C.; Dauvilliers Y.; Fantini M.L.; Ferini-Strambi L.; Gabelia D.; Iranzo A.; Leu-Semenescu S.; Mitterling T.; Miyamoto M.; Miyamoto T.; Montplaisir J.Y.; Oertel W.; Pelletier A.; Prunetti P.; Puligheddu M.; Santamaria J.; Sonka K.; Unger M.; Wolfson C.; Zucconi M.; Terzaghi M.; Hogl B.; Mayer G.; Manni R.Frauscher, B.; Jennum, P.; Ju, Y. -E. S.; Postuma, R. B.; Arnulf, I.; De Cock, V. C.; Dauvilliers, Y.; Fantini, M. L.; Ferini-Strambi, L.; Gabelia, D.; Iranzo, A.; Leu-Semenescu, S.; Mitterling, T.; Miyamoto, M.; Miyamoto, T.; Montplaisir, J. Y.; Oertel, W.; Pelletier, A.; Prunetti, P.; Puligheddu, M.; Santamaria, J.; Sonka, K.; Unger, M.; Wolfson, C.; Zucconi, M.; Terzaghi, M.; Hogl, B.; Mayer, G.; Manni, R

Excessive daytime sleepiness in multiple system atrophy (SLEEMSA study)

\u3cp\u3eBACKGROUND: Sleep disorders are common in multiple system atrophy (MSA), but the prevalence of excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) is not well known.\u3c/p\u3e\u3cp\u3eOBJECTIVE: To assess the frequency and associations of EDS in MSA.\u3c/p\u3e\u3cp\u3eDESIGN: Survey of EDS in consecutive patients with MSA and comparison with patients with Parkinson disease (PD) and individuals without known neurologic disease.\u3c/p\u3e\u3cp\u3eSETTING: Twelve tertiary referral centers.\u3c/p\u3e\u3cp\u3ePARTICIPANTS: Eighty-six consecutive patients with MSA; 86 patients with PD matched for age, sex, and Hoehn and Yahr stage; and 86 healthy subject individuals matched for age and sex.\u3c/p\u3e\u3cp\u3eMAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), modified ESS, Sudden Onset of Sleep Scale, Tandberg Sleepiness Scale, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, disease severity, dopaminergic treatment amount, and presence of restless legs syndrome.\u3c/p\u3e\u3cp\u3eRESULTS: Mean (SD) ESS scores were comparable in MSA (7.72 [5.05]) and PD (8.23 [4.62]) but were higher than in healthy subjects (4.52 [2.98]) (P &lt; .001). Excessive daytime sleepiness (ESS score &gt;10) was present in 28% of patients with MSA, 29% of patients with PD, and 2% of healthy subjects (P &lt; .001). In MSA, in contrast to PD, the amount of dopaminergic treatment was not correlated with EDS. Disease severity was weakly correlated with EDS in MSA and PD. Restless legs syndrome occurred in 28% of patients with MSA, 14% of patients with PD, and 7% of healthy subjects (P &lt; .001). Multiple regression analysis (with 95% confidence intervals obtained using nonparametric bootstrapping) showed that sleep-disordered breathing and sleep efficiency predicted EDS in MSA and amount of dopaminergic treatment and presence of restless legs syndrome in PD.\u3c/p\u3e\u3cp\u3eCONCLUSIONS: More than one-quarter of patients with MSA experience EDS, a frequency similar to that encountered in PD. In these 2 conditions, EDS seems to be associated with different causes.\u3c/p\u3

Comorbidity and medication in REM sleep behavior disorder: A multicenter case-control study

Objective: This controlled study investigated associations between comorbidity and medication in patients with polysomnographically confirmed idiopathic REM sleep behavior disorder (iRBD), using a large multicenter clinic-based cohort. Methods: Data of a self-administered questionnaire on comorbidity and medication use of 318 patients with iRBD and 318 matched controls were analyzed. Comparisons between cases and controls were made using logistic regression analysis. Results: Patients with iRBD were more likely to report depression (odds ratio [OR] 2.0, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.3-2.9) and concomitant antidepressant use (OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.4-3.6). Subanalysis of antidepressant agents revealed that the increased use of antidepressants in iRBD was due to selective serotoninergic reuptake inhibitors (OR 3.6, 95% CI 1.8-7.0) and not due to other antidepressant classes. Patients with iRBD reported more lifetime antidepressant use than comorbid depression (antidepressant use: OR 1.9, 95%CI 1.1-3.3; depression: OR 1.6, 95%CI 1.0-2.5). Patients with iRBD reported more ischemic heart disease (OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.1-3.1). This association did not change substantially when adjusting for cardiovascular risk factors (OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.3-3.9). The use of inhaled glucocorticoids was higher in patients with iRBD compared to controls (OR 5.3, 95% CI 1.8-15.8), likely reflecting the higher smoking rate in iRBD (smoking: OR 15.3, 95%CI 2.0-118.8; nonsmoking: OR 2.4, 95%CI 0.4-13.2) and consequent pulmonary disease. Conclusions: This large study confirms the association between comorbid depression and antidepressant use in iRBD. In addition, there was an unexpected association of iRBD with ischemic heart disease that was not explained by cardiovascular risk factors