World Sleep Society publishes guidelines in Sleep Medicine, its official journal. Access Sleep Medicine online by becoming a member of World Sleep Society. Members of our Associate Societies also have complimentary access to Sleep Medicine but must submit a request form.
Published guidelines are also made freely available for download below.
Endorsement of “Clinical Practice Guideline for Diagnostic Testing for Adult Obstructive Sleep Apnea: An American Academy of Sleep Medicine Clinical Practice Guideline” by World Sleep Society
Published March 2021 | Read online on Sleep Medicine | Download .pdf | View Original Endorsed Guideline
Abstract
This guideline was selected for review by the World Sleep Society (WSS) Sleep and Breathing Disorder Group A Task Force and the WSS International Sleep Medicine Guidelines Committee. The scope of this guideline covers clinical practice recommendations for the diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea in adults. A task force of content experts from WSS has reviewed this guideline specifically for its relevance and applicability to the practice of sleep medicine by sleep specialists that comprise WSS membership.
Endorsement of “European Guideline for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Insomnia” by World Sleep Society
Published May 2021 | Read online on Sleep Medicine | Download .pdf | View Original Endorsed Guideline
Abstract
The European guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of insomnia (1) was developed by a task force of the European Sleep Research Society, which was composed of 27 experts with clinical experience on insomnia management from different European countries and the European Insomnia Network. The guideline focused on insomnia disorder as defined by ICD-10/ICSD-3. Its starting point was the previously published guideline by the German Sleep Society, which was revised and expanded based on a review of relevant meta-analyses of insomnia therapies published through June 2016. The scope of this guideline was to provide recommendations on the treatment of chronic insomnia disorder. This guideline was selected for review by the World Sleep Society (WSS) Insomnia Task Force and the WSS International Sleep Medicine Guidelines Committee. A task force of content experts from the WSS has reviewed this guideline specifically for its relevance and applicability to the practice of sleep medicine by sleep specialists that comprise its membership.
Endorsement of “Treatment of Adult Obstructive Sleep Apnea with Positive Airway Pressure: An American Academy of Sleep Medicine Clinical Practice Guideline” by World Sleep Society
Published January 2022 | Read on Sleep Medicine | Download .pdf | View Original Endorsed Guideline
Abstract
Guidelines for the evaluation and management of sleep disorders from national societies provide recommendations that may be regionally appropriate but may not always be practical or relevant in other parts of the world. A task force of experts from the World Sleep Society’s (WSS) International Sleep Medicine Guidelines Committee and Sleep and Breathing Disorders Taskforce reviewed the American Academy of Sleep Medicine’s Clinical Practice Guideline on the Treatment of Adult Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) with Positive Airway Pressure with respect to its relevance and applicability to the practice of sleep medicine by sleep specialists in various regions of the world. To improve the evaluation of the guideline, surveys were sent by the senior author and the WSS to approximately 800 sleep doctors around the world to query the availability of OSA treatments in their respective region. The task force and the WSS guidelines committee endorsed the AASM’s CPAP guidelines with respect to the indications for PAP therapy, utilization of different PAP modalities, and concurrent strategies to improve outcomes, noting appropriate caveats for universal applicability.
2018 Worldwide Survey of Health-Care Providers Caring for Patients with Narcolepsy: World Sleep Society Narcolepsy Task Force
Published June 2021 | Read online on Sleep Medicine | Download .pdf
Abstract
There are limited data on the regional differences in the diagnosis and management of narcolepsy. A total of 146 surveys that included items on the diagnosis and management of narcolepsy were completed by practitioners representing 37 countries. Most of the participants were from Europe, North America, Oceania, Asia and Latin America. A consistent approach to applying the diagnostic criteria of narcolepsy was documented with the exception of measurement of CSF hypocretin-1, which has limited availability. While the majority of practitioners (58%) reported not using the test, 1% indicated always evaluating CSF hypocretin-1 levels. There was much variability in the availability of currently recommended medications such as sodium oxybate and pitolisant; modafinil and antidepressants were the most commonly used medications. Amphetamines were unavailable in some countries. The results of the study highlight clinical and therapeutic realities confronted by worldwide physicians in the management of narcolepsy. While the diagnostic criteria of narcolepsy rely in part on the quantification of CSF hypocretin-1, few physicians reported having incorporated this test into their routine assessment of the condition. Regional differences in the management of narcolepsy appeared to be related to geographic availability and expense of the therapeutic agents.