Differential diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnoea in adults

differential diagnosis

Excessive day time sleepiness which is the main symptoms in obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) is also present in the following conditions:

• insufficient sleep - can be due to fragmented sleep (quality of sleep) or sleep deprivation (quantity of sleep)
  
  
• shift work
  
  
• depression
  
  
• narcolepsy
  
  
• hypothyroidism
  
  
• restless leg syndrome /periodic limb movement disorder
  
  
• drugs
  • sedatives
  • stimulants (caffeine, theophyllines, amphetamines)
  • beta blockers
  • selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
    
    
• idiopathic hypersomnolence
  
  
• excess alcohol
  
  
• neurological conditions
  • dystrophica myotonica
  • previous encephalitis
  • previous head injury
  • parkinsonism (1)

Reference:

• (1) Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) 2003. Management of obstructive sleep apnoea/hypopnoea syndrome in adults