differential diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnoea in adults

Last reviewed 12/2022

differential diagnosis

Excessive day time sleepiness which is the main symptoms in obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) is also present in the following conditions:

  • insufficient sleep - can be due to fragmented sleep (quality of sleep) or sleep deprivation (quantity of sleep)

  • shift work

  • depression

  • narcolepsy

  • hypothyroidism

  • restless leg syndrome /periodic limb movement disorder

  • drugs
    • sedatives
    • stimulants (caffeine, theophyllines, amphetamines)
    • beta blockers
    • selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)

  • idiopathic hypersomnolence

  • excess alcohol

  • neurological conditions
    • dystrophica myotonica
    • previous encephalitis
    • previous head injury
    • parkinsonism (1)

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