Hypersomnia: Evaluation, Treatment, and Social and Economic Aspects

Abstract

Most central disorders of hypersomnolence are conditions with poorly understood pathophysiologies, making their identification, treatment, and management challenging for sleep clinicians. The most challenging to diagnose and treat is idiopathic hypersomnia. There are no FDA-approved treatments, and off-label usage of narcolepsy treatments seldom provide benefit. Patients are largely left on their own to alleviate the compound effects of this disorder on their quality of life. This review covers the major points regarding clinical features and diagnosis of idiopathic hypersomnia, reviews current evidence supporting the available treatment options, and discusses the psychosocial impact and effects of idiopathic hypersomnia.

Keywords: Economic costs; Excessive daytime sleepiness; Hypersomnolence disorder; Idiopathic hypersomnia; Narcolepsy; Psychosocial factors; Quality of life; Sleep drunkenness.