Position statement highlights the clinical significance of sleepiness

DARIEN, IL — The American Academy of Sleep Medication has launched a brand new place assertion emphasizing the scientific significance of sleepiness and its influence on efficiency, well being, temper, security, and high quality of life.

The place states that sleepiness is a important patient-reported final result that’s related to an elevated threat for hostile well being results and diminished high quality of life. The assertion urges well being care professionals, policymakers, and researchers to prioritize the analysis, administration, and therapy of sleepiness to enhance public well being.

“Sleepiness is a critical well being concern with wide-reaching penalties,” mentioned Dr. Eric Olson, president of the AASM. “From drowsy driving crashes to office errors and long-term well being dangers, the consequences of extreme daytime sleepiness influence people and society daily. With one-third of U.S. adults reporting they expertise extreme sleepiness, the significance of figuring out interventions that acknowledge, assess, and deal with it can’t be understated.”

The place assertion was revealed April 14 as an accepted paper within the Journal of Scientific Sleep Medication, the official publication of the AASM.

Sleepiness is a marker of inadequate sleep and a significant patient-reported symptom related to sleep-wake issues comparable to narcolepsy and obstructive sleep apnea. Analysis reveals that extreme daytime sleepiness, which is the shortcoming to remain awake and alert in the course of the main waking episodes of the day, is linked to elevated dangers of cognitive impairment, office accidents, drowsy driving crashes, and psychological well being considerations, comparable to melancholy and suicidal ideation. Sleepiness will also be a aspect impact of medical circumstances, treatment use, and way of life elements that contribute to power sleep deprivation.

“We’ve reached a important level the place the well being care system should prioritize the analysis and administration of sleepiness to assist sufferers obtain restorative sleep and preserve daytime alertness,” mentioned Olson. “Additional analysis and innovation are important to advancing the therapy of sleep-wake issues, together with research that drive the event of therapies for daytime sleepiness.”

The place assertion acquired assist from 25 medical, scientific, affected person, and security organizations:

American Academy of Cardiovascular Sleep Medication
American Academy of Dental Sleep Medication
American Academy of Emergency Medication
American Academy of Household Physicians*
American Academy of Neurology
American School of Chest Physicians (CHEST)
American School of Life-style Medication
American School of Occupational and Environmental Medication
American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgical procedure
American Society of Anesthesiologists*
American Thoracic Society*
California Sleep Society
Circadian Sleep Problems Community
Dakotas Sleep Society
Hypersomnia Basis
Louisiana Academy of Sleep Medication
Nationwide Security Council
Weight problems Medication Affiliation
Undertaking Sleep
Sleep Analysis Society*
Society for Analysis on Organic Rhythms
Society of Behavioral Sleep Medication
Southern Sleep Society
Begin Faculty Later
Wake Up Narcolepsy

*This place assertion is supported by the American Academy of Household Physicians. The American Society of Anesthesiologists affirms the worth of this place assertion. This place assertion was endorsed by the American Thoracic Society on January 22, 2025. The Sleep Analysis Society reviewed and endorses the findings and place described on this manuscript.

Anybody who has a sleep downside can use the AASM’s sleep heart listing to get assist from the sleep crew at an accredited sleep heart.

Learn extra AASM place statements and well being advisories.

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To request a duplicate of, “Scientific significance of sleepiness: an American Academy of Sleep Medication place assertion,” or to rearrange an interview with an AASM spokesperson, please contact the AASM at media@aasm.org.

Dr. Martin has acquired consulting compensation from ResMed. Dr. Patil has acquired consulting compensation from Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP for a sleep-related authorized case and is vital personnel on a sleep-related analysis or schooling grant from Apnimed. Dr. Wickwire has acquired compensation as a scientific guide or advisor for Axsome Therapeutics, Eisai, EnsoData, Idorsia, Merck, Nox Well being, Primasun, and ResMed, and he’s key personnel on sleep-related analysis or schooling grants from Merck and ResMed Basis.

Concerning the American Academy of Sleep Medication

Established in 1975, the AASM is a medical affiliation that advances sleep care and enhances sleep well being to enhance lives. The AASM membership contains greater than 9,500 physicians, scientists, and different well being care professionals who assist individuals who have sleep issues. The AASM additionally accredits 2,300 sleep facilities which can be offering the best high quality of sleep care throughout the nation.