Pharmacological treatment for Kleine-Levin Syndrome.

BACKGROUND

Kleine-Levin Syndrome (KLS) is a rare disorder which mainly affects adolescent men. It is characterized by recurrent episodes of hypersomnia, usually accompanied by hyperphagia, cognitive and mood disturbances, abnormal behavior such as hypersexuality, and signs of dysautonomia.In 1990 the diagnostic criteria for Kleine-Levin Syndrome were modified in the International Classification of Sleep Disorders, where it was defined as a syndrome composed of recurring episodes of undue sleepiness lasting some days, which may or may not be associated with hyperphagia and abnormal behavior.The etiology of Kleine-Levin Syndrome remains unknown and several treatment strategies have been used. Some medications have been reported to provide some benefit for the treatment of Kleine-Levin Syndrome patients, but because of the rarity of the condition no long-term follow-up therapies have yet been described.

OBJECTIVES

This review aimed to evaluate:1. whether pharmacological treatment for Kleine-Levin Syndrome is effective and safe; and 2. which drug or category of drugs is effective and safe.

SEARCH STRATEGY

We obtained relevant trials from the following sources: the Cochrane Epilepsy Group Specialized Register (1 December 2007); the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library Issue 3, 2007); MEDLINE (1966 to December 2007); EMBASE (1980 to December 2007); LILACS (1982 to December 2007); reference lists of sleep medicine textbooks; review articles and reference lists of articles identified by the search strategies.

SELECTION CRITERIA

All randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-randomized controlled trials looking at pharmacological interventions for Kleine-Levin Syndrome. We included both parallel group and cross-over studies.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors (MO and CC) extracted the data reported in the original articles.

MAIN RESULTS

No studies met the inclusion criteria for this systematic review.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Therapeutic trials of pharmacological treatment for Kleine-Levin Syndrome, with a double-blind, placebo-controlled design are needed.