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Prevalence of narcolepsy with cataplexy in Norway
Author(s) -
Heier M. S.,
Evsiukova T.,
Wilson J.,
Abdelnoor M.,
Hublin C.,
Ervik S.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
acta neurologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.967
H-Index - 95
eISSN - 1600-0404
pISSN - 0001-6314
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0404.2009.01166.x
Subject(s) - narcolepsy , cataplexy , medicine , pediatrics , psychiatry , physical medicine and rehabilitation , psychology , neurology
Objectives – Narcolepsy is a lifelong disabling disorder that may be alleviated by relevant treatment. Patients frequently report 10–15 years from the first symptoms to the time they get the diagnosis and treatment can be started. In order to offer a sufficient diagnostic and therapeutic service to this patient group, a reliable estimation of the prevalence of the disorder is important. A study of the prevalence of narcolepsy with cataplexy in Norway was therefore undertaken. Materials and methods – The Ullanlinna Narcolepsy scale (UNS) was sent to 14548 randomly selected Norwegians between 20 and 60 years. Additionally, the study included telephone interviews and clinical evaluation of responders with ≥14 points on the UNS, and in those with suspected narcolepsy, polygraphic sleep recordings and human leucocyte antigen (HLA)‐typing. Results – A total of 8992 responders answered the questionnaire (response rate 61.8%), 267 had ≥14 points on the UNS, 156 were interviewed and 15 had sleep recordings. In two HLADQB1*0602‐positive patients sleep recordings were compatible with narcolepsy. Conclusions – The results indicate a prevalence of 0.022% and approximately 1000 patients with narcolepsy with cataplexy in Norway.