Sleep and neuromuscular disease

[Guest guest]

Semin Neurol. 2009 Sep;29(4):429-37.

Sleep and neuromuscular disease.

Nicolle MW.

Department of Clinical Neurological Sciences, Schulich School of Medicine and

Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, Canada.

Sleep disorders in patients with neuromuscular disease are common, but

underrecognized by health care providers, and sometimes by patients themselves.

Their symptoms may be confused with those of the underlying disease. Their

recognition is an important part of the management of patients with

neuromuscular disorders, improving quality of life, and sometimes increasing

survival.

Inadequate ventilation underlies many sleep disorders, and sleep-related

disorders may presage daytime ventilatory disorders with disease progression.

Involvement of the central or peripheral nervous system, or both, may disrupt

sleep, with the relative contribution of each depending on the specific

disorder.

The pertinent anatomy, physiology, and clinical features of sleep disorders in

neuromuscular diseases and a basic approach to their assessment is discussed.

Specific neuromuscular disorders in which sleep is commonly affected are

reviewed and the principles of management of sleep disorders summarized.