The effect of narcolepsy on quality of life
Narcolepsy is a very incapacitating disease, as it interferes with almost every aspect of a patient’s life. Narcoleptic patients generally do not spend much time asleep, even at night. Because they are unable to stay awake or asleep for long periods of time, nocturnal sleep is disrupted in a third of patients. Typically, patients fall asleep as soon as they get into bed but they wake up several times during the night. Also contributing to disrupted sleep is the occurrence of periodic leg movements especially as patients age, although the contribution of these movements to daytime sleepiness remains controversial. Sleep-talking and REM sleep behaviour disorders (in which patients physically enact their dreams) have been reported in a third of patients.
Adult patients often perceive narcoleptic symptoms as embarrassing, and social isolation may result. Patients with narcolepsy may experience:
The social impact of narcolepsy has been extensively studied; narcolepsy also interferes with professional performance, leading to unemployment, frequent changes of employment, worker’s disability, or early retirement. Several patients also develop symptoms of depression.
In one study, 24% of narcoleptic patients had to quit working and 18% were terminated from their jobs because of their disease. Left untreated, narcolepsy may be psychosocially devastating.
Narcoleptic patients also have higher body-mass indices than those without the disease. Some, especially children, gain weight after the onset of narcolepsy.
Narcolepsy is a very incapacitating disease, as it interferes with almost every aspect of a patient’s life. Narcoleptic patients generally do not spend much time asleep, even at night. Because they are unable to stay awake or asleep for long periods of time, nocturnal sleep is disrupted in a third of patients. Typically, patients fall asleep as soon as they get into bed but they wake up several times during the night. Also contributing to disrupted sleep is the occurrence of periodic leg movements especially as patients age, although the contribution of these movements to daytime sleepiness remains controversial. Sleep-talking and REM sleep behaviour disorders (in which patients physically enact their dreams) have been reported in a third of patients.
Adult patients often perceive narcoleptic symptoms as embarrassing, and social isolation may result. Patients with narcolepsy may experience:
- Interpersonal stress in relationships, sexual dysfunction, and difficulty working
- Job impairment from sleep attacks, memory problems, cataplexy, interpersonal problems, and memory changes.
- Being perceived as lazy, inattentive, and lacking motivation by their co-workers
- Being falsely suspected of illegal drug use (patients should inform employers concerning their stimulant medications, because they may test positive for amphetamines on pre-employment screening drug tests)
- Impairments in driving and high prevalence of either car- or machine-related accidents
The social impact of narcolepsy has been extensively studied; narcolepsy also interferes with professional performance, leading to unemployment, frequent changes of employment, worker’s disability, or early retirement. Several patients also develop symptoms of depression.
In one study, 24% of narcoleptic patients had to quit working and 18% were terminated from their jobs because of their disease. Left untreated, narcolepsy may be psychosocially devastating.
Narcoleptic patients also have higher body-mass indices than those without the disease. Some, especially children, gain weight after the onset of narcolepsy.
References
1. Nishino S. Clinical and neurobiological aspects of narcolepsy. Sleep Medicine 2007; 2: 373 – 399
2. Dauvilliers Y., Arnulf I, Mignot E. Narcolepsy with Cataplexy. Lancet (Seminar) 2007; 369: 499 – 511
Images:
http://bouldersleeptherapy.com/disorders/narcolepsy.php/
autoimmunediseasesa2z.com
www3.unil.ch
1. Nishino S. Clinical and neurobiological aspects of narcolepsy. Sleep Medicine 2007; 2: 373 – 399
2. Dauvilliers Y., Arnulf I, Mignot E. Narcolepsy with Cataplexy. Lancet (Seminar) 2007; 369: 499 – 511
Images:
http://bouldersleeptherapy.com/disorders/narcolepsy.php/
autoimmunediseasesa2z.com
www3.unil.ch