Narcoleptic Patients' Perceptions of Nicotine

Abstract

Free AccessNicotineNarcoleptic Patients' Perceptions of Nicotine Lois E. Krahn, M.D., Kari A. Martin, M.D., Michael H. Silber, M.B.Ch.B. Lois E. Krahn, M.D. Dept of Psychiatry and Psychology Sleep Disorders Center, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Scottsdale AZ Search for more papers by this author , Kari A. Martin, M.D. Dept of Psychiatry and Psychology Search for more papers by this author , Michael H. Silber, M.B.Ch.B. Dept of Neurology Sleep Disorders Center, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester MN Search for more papers by this author Published Online:August 15, 2009https://doi.org/10.5664/jcsm.27554Cited by:9SectionsPDF ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack Citations AboutINTRODUCTIONAlthough little studied, the attitudes of narcolepsy patients towards nicotine raise several issues. Whether patients view nicotine as a useful self-management technique for EDS is unclear. Given that excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) is the cardinal symptom of narcolepsy, patients who smoke theoretically are at higher risk of injury and property damage.Participants at the 2007 Narcolepsy Network meeting were surveyed regarding nicotine using a 25-item questionnaire developed by the authors. Seventeen anonymous responses were received, of which eight were from current or past smokers, allowing an exploration of the respondents' perceptions and experiences. No respondents used smokeless tobacco products.Nicotine was perceived to decrease EDS by all smokers. One respondent reported that nicotine also decreased cataplexy. One-third had fallen asleep at least once while smoking, with many others describing coming very close. Smoking materials had caused fires or burns for two respondents leading to injuries, damaged clothing/furniture/carpet, and total loss of a car. Nicotine cessation was viewed as challenging because of increased EDS by seven respondents.These preliminary data indicate the need for more in-depth investigation into the risks of smoking for patients with narcolepsy. Nicotine cessation efforts for patients with narcolepsy could be more effective if the perception that nicotine decreases EDS is factored into treatment.DISCLOSURE STATEMENTThe authors have indicated no conflicts of interest. Previous article Next article FiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsCited by Narcolepsy, co-morbidities and smokingDhillon N, Riha R and Dhillon B Sleep Medicine, 10.1016/j.sleep.2018.08.012, Vol. 52, , (236), Online publication date: 1-Dec-2018. Response to “smoking, co-morbidities and narcolepsy”Cohen A, Mandrekar J, St. Louis E, Silber M and Kotagal S Sleep Medicine, 10.1016/j.sleep.2018.08.009, Vol. 52, , (237), Online publication date: 1-Dec-2018. Retrospective multicenter matched case–control study on the risk factors for narcolepsy with special focus on vaccinations (including pandemic influenza vaccination) and infections in GermanyOberle D, Pavel J, Mayer G, Geisler P and Keller-Stanislawski B Sleep Medicine, 10.1016/j.sleep.2017.02.026, Vol. 34, , (71-83), Online publication date: 1-Jun-2017. Narcolepsy with cataplexy in patients aged over 60 years: a case-control studyKovalská P, Kemlink D, Nevšímalová S, Maurovich Horvat E, Jarolímová E, Topinková E and Šonka K Sleep Medicine, 10.1016/j.sleep.2016.05.011, Vol. 26, , (79-84), Online publication date: 1-Oct-2016. Smoking Prevalence and Its Clinical Correlations in Patients with Narcolepsy-cataplexyPeřinová P, Feketeová E, Kemlink D, Kovalská P, Chlebušová K, Nepožitek J, Ibarburu V, Králíková E, Nevšímalová S and Šonka K Prague Medical Report, 10.14712/23362936.2016.8, Vol. 117, No. 2-3, (81-89), . Clinical and practical considerations in the pharmacologic management of narcolepsyThorpy M and Dauvilliers Y Sleep Medicine, 10.1016/j.sleep.2014.10.002, Vol. 16, No. 1, (9-18), Online publication date: 1-Jan-2015. Treatment options in narcolepsyMayer G, Bassetti C and Dauvilliers Y Expert Opinion on Orphan Drugs, 10.1517/21678707.2013.854701, Vol. 1, No. 12, (987-999), Online publication date: 1-Dec-2013. Narcolepsy with Cataplexy Masked by the Use of NicotineEbben M and Krieger A Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, Vol. 08, No. 02, (195-196), Online publication date: 15-Apr-2012. Narcolepsy with Cataplexy Associated with Nocturnal Compulsive Behaviors: A Case-Control StudyPalaia V, Poli F, Pizza F, Antelmi E, Franceschini C, Moghadam K, Provini F, Pagotto U, Montagna P, Schenck C, Mignot E and Plazzi G Sleep, 10.5665/SLEEP.1280, Vol. 34, No. 10, (1365-1371), Online publication date: 1-Oct-2011., Online publication date: 1-Oct-2011. Volume 05 • Issue 04 • August 15, 2009ISSN (print): 1550-9389ISSN (online): 1550-9397Frequency: Monthly Metrics History Submitted for publicationApril 1, 2009Accepted for publicationApril 1, 2009Published onlineAugust 15, 2009 Information© 2009 American Academy of Sleep MedicinePDF download