Clinical insights into catathrenia: A real-world analysis from a tertiary sleep center.

Sleep health notes

Sleep health notes will be added by the Sleepatch editorial team.

中文解读

中文解读待补充：本站会优先为失眠研究、睡眠质量改善、昼夜节律等高价值睡眠研究添加中文说明。

Original abstract

<h4>Introduction</h4>Catathrenia is a rare sleep-related breathing disorder marked by groaning during prolonged expiration, often underrecognized or misdiagnosed as obstructive or central sleep apnoea (OSA or CSA) or parasomnia. Understanding its clinical and polysomnographic features is essential for accurate diagnosis and management.<h4>Materials and methods</h4>We performed a retrospective observational study of adult patients diagnosed with catathrenia at Serviço de Medicina do Sono de Coimbra. Diagnosis was established by attended overnight polysomnography (PSG) with synchronised audio-video recording. Demographic data, symptoms, comorbidities, PSG variables, treatment modalities, and outcomes were reviewed. Catathrenia events were defined as deep inhalation followed by prolonged exhalation with monotonous groaning.<h4>Results</h4>Ten patients were included. Median age was 46 years (range 27-78), mostly female (70%). Common comorbidities included obesity (<i>n</i> = 4), depression (<i>n</i> = 2), Parkinson's disease (<i>n</i> = 1), and restless legs syndrome (<i>n</i> = 1). Six patients (60%) had concomitant obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). Seven patients had excessive daytime sleepiness (Epworth Sleepiness Scale > 10). All catathrenia episodes occurred exclusively during REM sleep. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy was the most frequently used treatment and was associated with objective or subjective improvement in most patients. Two patients experienced spontaneous remission.<h4>Conclusion</h4>Catathrenia remains underdiagnosed and can mimic other sleep disorders. Recognition of its REM-sleep predominance and PSG pattern is essential. Individualised treatment, often involving PAP therapy, may improve symptoms and patient outcomes.

Links and sources

• Official / arXiv page

Comments