Excessive Daytime Sleepiness (EDS)

EDS may present differently among patients1,2

EDS definition per ICSD-3-TR diagnostic criteria: Daily episodes of an irrepressible need to sleep or unintended lapses into drowsiness or sleep1

In adult patients…

  • Patients may experience EDS in different ways:
    • Inability to stay awake and alert throughout the day1
    • Lapses in concentration1,2
    • Patients may describe as “tiredness” or “fatigue”2
    • Automatic behaviors associated with microsleep episodes1,3
  • EDS is more likely to occur in monotonous situations requiring little activity1
    • Sitting in class, reading, passenger in a car1,2

Cataplexy

Cataplexy may differ widely among patients1

Cataplexy definition per ICSD-3-TR diagnostic criteria: Generally brief, bilaterally symmetrical, sudden loss of muscle tone with retained consciousness1

In adult patients…

  • Patients may experience cataplexy in different ways1,4-8:
    • Cataplexy commonly affects the head and neck but may affect other areas1,4-6
    • Patients may describe as “clumsiness”7
    • Cataplexy can be triggered by a range of emotions or situations5,8

Regular assessment for cataplexy is important as it may develop and evolve over time9-11

Ask your patients:Do you…

  • Experience sudden periods of muscle weakness with strong emotions or certain situations?1,5
  • Notice weakness in your face or neck, like mouth opening or droopy eyelids?1,4
  • Ever feel your knees buckle or give out?6
  • Sometimes drop things or feel clumsy?6,7