POLYSOMNOGRAPHIC STUDIES IN AMYOTROPHIC-LATERAL-SCLEROSIS

We retrospectively reviewed 17 polysomnograms (PSG) in symptomatic amy otrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients to assess the type and frequ ency of sleep disordered events and correlated these findings with pul monary function tests (PFTs), presenting complaints, presence of bulba r dysfunction, and response to bi-level positive airway pressure (PAP) treatment. PSG revealed abnormalities in 16 patients. Complaints of o rthopnea, daytime sleepiness (but not morning headaches) and a low neg ative inspiratory force (NIF) correlated with sleep disruption. Howeve r, neither the forced vital capacity (FVC) nor the NIF reliably predic ted any specific PSG finding. Twelve of 13 patients treated with bi-le vel PAP responded favorably. Since the response to bi-level PAP is fre quently gratifying, PSG should strongly be considered in ALS patients with suspected sleep disturbances. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.