Sleep & Wake Disorders
The Burden of Sleep/Wake Disorders:
Excessive Daytime Sleepiness and Insomnia Project
EAN Working Group Leaders: Prof. Stefan Seidel; Prof. Ulf Kallweit, Prof. Rolf Fronczek; Prof. Evelina Pajediene
The European Academy of Neurology (EAN) is conducting a study on the topic of sleep & wake disorders. Its initial idea was inspired on EBC´s Value of Treatment projects. Currently, this research intends not only to systematically assess the scientific literature on this topic but also to explore the socio-economic consequences of insomnia and daytime sleepiness taking into consideration a European-population-centred perspective.
Sleep and wake disorders are prevalent phenomena that significantly affect individuals´ health, their social relationships, educational and professional performance, and quality of life. Although common in the general population, they tend to be regularly underdiagnosed; treatment is frequently not evidence-based; self-treatment is an issue. Moreover, sleep-wake disorders might constitute the first signs of a latent brain disorder.
In recent times, the importance of adequate sleep has become increasingly appreciated as one of the main pillars for an adequate brain health. Two well recognized syndromes include Insomnia and Excessive Daytime Sleepiness. Although the consequences on the quality of life of these conditions have been to some extent acknowledged, an understanding of the economic impact that an adequate therapeutic management can have and research data coming from a first person centred perspective is practically non-existent.
Objectives.
- To describe insomnia and daytime sleepiness disorders´ taking into consideration their socio-economic burden as reported in current scientific publications.
- To describe insomnia and daytime sleepiness disorders´ impact on the quality of life as referred by participants personal experience.
- To compare insomnia and daytime sleepiness disorders´ impact on the quality of life as referred by participants from different macro-European regions.
- To calculate direct and indirect economic costs attributable to insomnia and daytime sleepiness disorders in at least two European countries.
- To provide policy recommendations for insomnia and daytime sleepiness disorders.
Breakdown by work package
Work-Package I
Literature Review
| Deliverables | Systematic Literature review scientific publication |
| Project Description | Systematic review of the scientific literature on excessive daytime sleepiness and insomnia considering the impact of these disorders on the quality of life of the patients and their families, as well as the socio-economic impact produced at a bigger societal scale. Different PICOs will be identified and each potential scientific paper will be assessed in order to verify whether they fulfil the necessary requirements. Data will be extracted and analysed. Results will be published in scientific journals. |
| Working Group | Luca Vignatelli, Elisabetta Pupillo, Stefan Seidel, Ulf Kallweit, Maurizio Leone |
Work-Package II
a.) Pilot survey in Switzerland.
b.) Survey study in Vienna (Austria) through the Sleep Health Check App.
| Deliverables | a.) Scientific publication |
| Project Description | On an initial stage of the current project a), a pilot study will be carried out to assess the feasibility and identify all main challenges. The Sleep Health Check app will be used by interested participants to complete a series of scientifically validated assessment scales.. |
Work Package III
Cost of illness study
| Deliverables | Scientific publication with descriptive and comparative results |
| Project Description | Taking into account the results derived from WP I and II an economic analysis of the two target disorders will be performed |
Work Package IV
Strategies for improving the treatment of patients with sleep disorders
Final Report
| Deliverables | White paper on Insomnia and excessive sleepiness disorders management |
| Project Description | Considering the results derived from WPI, II and III, all partner societies will contribute to the drafting of a final document with a synthesis of the main results and recommendations for an effective prevention, recognition and treatment of these disorders. |
Project updates
As part of Work Package 2 (WP2), the Sleep Health Check App will be launched in Vienna (Austria) to pilot the feasibility of the study in a real-world setting.
The first pilot phase conducted in Bern, Switzerland was successfully concluded in 2025 and demonstrated the feasibility of a longitudinal study. The results highlight a significant and often persistent burden of symptoms, along with an heterogeneous management landscape and important gaps in recognition and care.
Congratulations to Dr Tüzün and Prof Bassetti for achieving this important milestone!
Official supporters:
Partners:
| PROJECT PARTNERS | REPRESENTATIVE |
| European Federation of Neurological Associations (EFNA) | Mrs. Joke Jaarsma |
| European Psychiatric Association (EPA) | Prof. Andrea Fiorillo |
| European Paediatric Neurology Society (EPNS) | Prof. Oliviero Bruni |
| European Sleep Research Society (ESRS) | Prof. Dirk Pevernagie |
| Alzheimer Europe (AE) | Prof. Iva Holmerová |
| Independent Expert on pulmonology / Scientific Communication | Prof. Winfried Randerath |
On 31 March 2022 the cooperation agreement was finalized, and signed by all the partners societies.
Our sincere thanks to EPA, ESRS, EPNS, EFNA and Alzheimer Europe for officially joining this important scientific project!
