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Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS)

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

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Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) is best described as an urge to sleep during daytime hours

  • this is a common problem
    • occurs for at least three days a week in 4-20% of the population
    • affects quality of life, workplace performance, and has safety implications, for example, when driving

Prompt diagnosis is important because effective therapeutic strategies are available for many causes of excessive daytime sleepiness. In some cases treatment may not only improve quality of life but also reduce mortality.

Essentials:

  • key to accurate diagnosis is differentiating excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) from symptoms of fatigue or being “tired all the time”

  • the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) score is a useful way to assess and classify EDS
    • ESS >10 indicates EDS and >17 indicates severe EDS

  • commonest causes of EDS include:
    • obstructive sleep apnoea, periodic limb movement syndrome, narcolepsy, and circadian rhythms

  • treatment of obstructive sleep apnoea
    • reduces excessive daytime sleepiness
    • improves neuropsychological function
    • reduces blood pressure

  • referral is indicated for patients with EDS
    • for assessment, including overnight sleep study

Reference:

  • Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin (2004); 42(7): 52-6.
  • Brown J, Makker KM. An approach to excessive daytime sleepiness in adults. BMJ 2020;368:m1047


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The content herein is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

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