Sodium oxybate for narcolepsy with cataplexy: systematic review and meta-analysis.
Author: Alshaikh, M. K., Tricco, A. C., Tashkandi, M., Mamdani, M., Straus, S. E., & BaHammam, A. S.
Source:
Journal of clinical sleep medicine : JCSM : official publication of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, 8(4), 451–458.
Study Objectives:
To assess the efficacy and safety of sodium oxybate (SXB) in narcolepsy-cataplexy patients.
Design:
Systematic review and meta-analysis.
Patients:
Adults with narcolepsy-cataplexy.
Interventions:
SXB.
Measurements and Results:
Electronic databases (e.g., MEDLINE) and references of included studies were searched to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the efficacy and safety of SXB for patients with narcolepsy-cataplexy. Risk of bias was appraised using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. Meta-analysis was conducted in Review Manager Version 5.
Six RCTs and 5 companion reports were included after screening 14 full-text articles and 483 citations. All were private-industry funded. SXB (usually 9 g/night) was superior to placebo for reducing mean weekly cataplexy attacks (n = 2 RCTs, mean difference [MD]: −8.5, 95% CI: −15.3, −1.6), increasing maintenance wakefulness test (MWT) (n = 2, MD: 5.18, 95% CI: 2.59-7.78), reducing sleep attacks (n = 2, MD: −9.65, 95% CI: −17.72, −1.59), and increasing Clinical Global Impression scores (n = 3, relative risk, RR: 2.42, 95% CI: 1.77-3.32). SXB did not significantly increase REM sleep versus placebo (n = 2, MD: −0.49, 95% CI: −3.90, 2.92). Patients receiving SXB had statistically more adverse events versus placebo, including nausea (n = 3, relative risk [RR]: 7.74, 95% CI: 3.2, 19.2), vomiting (n = 2, RR: 11.8, 95% CI: 1.6, 89.4), and dizziness (n = 3, RR: 4.3, 95% CI: 1.1, 16.4). Enuresis was not significantly different from placebo (n = 2, RR: 2.6, 95% CI: 0.8, 9.8). All meta-analyses had minimal statistical heterogeneity (p-value > 0.1).
Conclusion:
Narcolepsy patients on SXB have significant reductions in cataplexy and daytime sleepiness. SXB is well tolerated in patients with narcolepsy, and most adverse events were mild to moderate in severity.