Search

Copyright of Zeitschrift für Psychiatrie, Psychologie und Psychotherapie is the property of Hogrefe AG and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Question of the study On the basis of the results of a study on the reliability of visual sleep stage scoring in accredited sleep laboratories performed by the "Methodological Aspects" working group of the German Society for Sleep Research and Sleep Medicine (DGSM) [18], the "Vigilance" working group of the DGSM initiated a study on the reliability of multiple sleep latency test (MSLT) results in accredited sleep laboratories. The study will be performed in two steps. Here the results of the first part -- a questionnaire survey on practical aspects of the implementation of the MSLT and its interpretation are presented. Methods A questionnaire was developed to gather information on the implementation of the MSLT and the Maintenance of Wakefulness Test (MWT). In January 2004, this questionnaire was sent to all laboratories with accreditation at that time (N = 268). The response rate was 73.1% in April 2004. Results The results reflect great variability with regard to the number of MSLTs performed per year, the number of trials performed per day and patient, the range of tentative diagnoses, and the criteria used to define sleep onset, REM sleep latency, the end of a trial, and the assessment of results as pathological findings. Conclusion The described heterogeneity in the implementation and assessment of multiple sleep latency tests in accredited sleep laboratories has implications for the reliability of results with regard to how the results compare with reference data derived from tests performed in a standardized way [1, 2, 7, 17, 22]. The implementation and assessment of multiple sleep latency tests according to published guidelines is therefore strongly recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Difficulties in falling asleep and maintaining sleep, nonrestorative sleep and decreased daytime wakefulness represent very common but relatively unspecific health complaints. Around 100 specific sleep-related disorders will be classified in their own major chap. 7 (sleep wake disorders) for the first time in the upcoming 11th version of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD 11). With respect to the disciplines of psychiatry and psychotherapy there is a bidirectional relationship between mental health and sleep wake disorders. Sleep wake disorders can be an independent risk factor for the onset of a mental disorder and have a negative influence on the course of the disease. In addition, sleep wake disorders can also precede a mental disease as an early symptom and therefore be an important indication for early recognition. Many sleep wake disorders can be diagnosed based on the anamnesis and routine clinical investigations. In special cases, examination in a specialized sleep laboratory and treatment in a sleep medicine center following a staged care approach can be mandatory. Polysomnography represents the gold standard for the differential diagnostics; however, there is no legal foundation in the field of neuropsychiatric disorders for remuneration in the German healthcare system. This review summarizes the current guidelines with respect to the criteria for an investigation in a sleep laboratory from the perspective of the disciplines of psychiatry and psychotherapy. From this the requirements for guideline-conform diagnostics and treatment are derived.