Is Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome the Only Diagnosis in Patients with Excessive Daytime Sleepiness and Snoring

Habitual snoring, excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), and the repeated cessation of breathing during sleep are the characteristic findings in cases of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). However, some other diseases, such as narcolepsy, will present with these symptoms concomitantly. Three cases were reviewed in this article. They all suffered from excessive daytime sleepiness along with some other symptoms. OSAS was diagnosed initially based on the clinical complaints and polysomnographic results. Narcolepsy with simple snoring, OSAS, and OSAS combined with narcolepsy (overlapping syndrome) were diagnosed ultimately in these three cases. Because of the incorrect diagnosis, they were all treated inappropriately, and suffered from the complications of treatment. Clinical features, diagnostic methods, and the possible pitfalls of OSAS and narcolepsy are reviewed and discussed in this article.