A Patient with Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome Presenting with REM Sleep Behavior Disorder Mimicking Symptoms

Abstract

Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder (RBD) is characterized by dream-enacting behaviors during REM sleep. However, many sleep disorders can produce RBD mimicking symptoms, also known as 'pseudo-RBD'. We report a patient with severe obstructive sleep apnea with 'pseudo-RBD' symptoms that were eliminated by continuous positive airway pressure treatment. Polysomnography is mandatory to establish the proper diagnosis of RBD.