# Knowledge of Narcolepsy Among Physicians in Makkah Region, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

## TL;DR

This study found that physicians in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, have limited knowledge about narcolepsy, which could affect proper diagnosis and treatment.

## Contribution

The study provides new insights into physicians' understanding of narcolepsy in the Makkah region, highlighting gaps in knowledge and potential implications for patient care.

## Key findings

- Only 32.3% of physicians correctly identified the typical onset age group and types of narcolepsy.
- Half of the physicians lacked knowledge about DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for narcolepsy.
- Non-surgical specialists had significantly higher knowledge scores compared to surgical specialists.

## Abstract

Background

Narcolepsy is a chronic sleep disorder that is characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness and cataplexy. It has been increasingly diagnosed over the years, impacting productivity and employment rates. Awareness of healthcare providers is crucial for the early identification and management of this condition.

Objectives

This study assessed physicians’ knowledge of narcolepsy in the Makkah region of Saudi Arabia.

Method

This cross-sectional study was conducted from February to November 2023. An online self-administered questionnaire has been used to target physicians working in the Makkah region of Saudi Arabia. The utilized questionnaire assessed demographic and professional data as well as the participants’ knowledge of narcolepsy. Statistical analysis was performed using RStudio (R version 4.3.1.). Statistical differences in knowledge were assessed using Pearson’s chi-squared and Fisher’s exact tests. Factors associated with knowledge of narcolepsy were investigated through univariable and multivariable regression analyses expressed using beta coefficients and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). Statistical significance was considered at p < 0.05.

Results

A total of 226 physicians participated in this study. Male physicians (54.4%, n = 123), practicing in governmental hospitals (77.9%, n = 176) and residing in Makkah City (43.4%, n = 98) were predominant. Non-surgical specialties represented 73.5% (n = 166) of the sample. Around 81% (n = 184) of the participants were aware of narcolepsy, with a significant difference according to professional status (p = 0.045). The majority of physicians have correctly identified narcolepsy as a sleep disorder (78.3%, n = 177), but only 32.3% (n = 73) have identified its typical onset age group and recognized that there are two types of narcolepsy. Almost half of the respondents indicated a lack of knowledge about the diagnostic criteria for narcolepsy in the DSM-5 (52.2%, n = 118). Only 27.4% (n = 62) recognized the correct diagnostic criteria. Half of the sample (51.3%, n = 116) recognized the use of multiple sleep latency tests for the diagnosis. For factors associated with higher participants’ knowledge, non-surgical specialties showed significantly higher knowledge scores compared to surgical specialties (beta = 0.91, 95% CI, 0.13 to 1.7, p = 0.024).

Conclusion

This study has revealed a significant lack of knowledge about narcolepsy among physicians in Makkah region. This raises concerns about the timely identification, proper understanding, and accurate diagnosis of patients with narcolepsy. Adequate understanding of narcolepsy is crucial to avoid its misdiagnosis or delays in receiving appropriate treatment and support, ultimately impacting their quality of life.