A Case of Intractable REM Sleep Behavior Disorder Improved With Nasal Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Therapy

Abstract

Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder (RBD) is characterized by dream enactment behavior and REM sleep without atonia and is traumatic for the patient and/or bedpartner. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common comorbidity of RBD, and several reports have suggested that severe OSA may aggravate RBD symptoms. This case report discusses a patient with medically intractable RBD combined with OSA, confirmed by 10-year follow-up polysomnography (PSG) data, which improved with nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy. The clinical symptoms of RBD markedly improved after CPAP treatment. Clinicians should raise the clinical suspicion of OSA in patients with intractable RBD and consider follow-up PSG and OSA treatments.