Symptom Control Connected With QoL in Patients With Narcolepsy

Quality of life in young adults with narcolepsy is significantly linked with symptom control, according to study findings published in Frontiers in Psychiatry.

“Medication can play the most important role,” wrote researchers. “Management targeting narcoleptic symptoms and attention impairment, as well as psychosocial intervention to increase rapport and drug adherence, should be provided to improve their quality of life.”

The study was a 5-year follow-up of 157 young adults with narcolepsy from the sleep clinic at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital in Taiwan. Among participants, 111 had type 1 narcolepsy and 46 had type 2 narcolepsy.

After work-up and evaluation at baseline, modafinil 200 mg once daily or methylphenidate 10 mg 2 to 3 times per day were prescribed for hypersomnolence. Antidepressants were prescribed for cataplexy per physician discretion.

In the total patient group, Short Form 36 Health Survey responses revealed significant changes in emotional role functioning and social function at the 5-year follow-up but no such differences in vitality, psychological health, or physical domains.

By narcolepsy type, patients with type 1 narcolepsy had notable gains in physical role functioning, emotional role functioning, and social functioning, while patients with type 2 narcolepsy had gains in emotional role functioning. Scores for those with type 2 narcolepsy, researchers noted, were significantly better at baseline.

The Epworth Sleepiness Scale and the visual analog scale for hypersomnolence also showed improvement at follow-up. Patients with type 1 narcolepsy scored higher on both scales at baseline, and at follow-up continued to have increased Epworth Sleepiness Scale scores.

“Planned short naps and sleep hygiene can help patients to decrease daytime sleepiness…,” wrote researchers. “Psychoeducation can help patients understand the correlation of symptom severity and quality of life, as well as improve therapeutic rapport, increase medication adherence, and relieve anxiety and depression.”

Reference:
Chin WC, Wang CH, et al. Quality of life changes and their predictors in young adult narcolepsy patients after treatment: a real-world cohort study. Front Psychiatry. Published online August 9, 2022. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2022.956037