To assess the usefulness of a sleep disorders center the authors sent
follow-up questionnaires to patients and referring physicians 9 months
after each diagnostic evaluation. Findings suggest that sleep disorders
centers provide a useful diagnostic service, especially for patients
suffering from excessive daytime sleepiness. This problem usually has a
medical etiology, and sleep laboratory evaluations seemed crucial for about
two-thirds of all such patients. Insomnia was more likely to involve
behavioral/psychological factors; about 30% of the patients with long-term,
serious insomnia seemed to benefit markedly from the sleep center
evaluation.Abstract Teaser