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.
2021 Survey of Global Access to Treatments for Obstructive Sleep Apnea
World Sleep Society’s Sleep Disordered Breathing Committee selected and reviewed “Treatment of Adult Obstructive Sleep Apnea with Positive Airway Pressure: An American Academy of Sleep Medicine Clinical Practice Guideline.” Upon review, they wanted to better understand global access to treatments for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) to issue an international guideline regarding OSA.
A survey was developed and distributed to World Sleep Society’s membership to better understand global access to OSA treatments. The survey sought to identify whether specific treatments were covered by a national system of insurance, private insurances, a mix of both, or if treatment was not covered at all.