Validation of electronic diagnostic codes for rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder

Current Knowledge/Study Rationale: As a first step toward phenotyping large numbers of individuals with rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder, we manually reviewed the charts of veterans with and without associated International Classification of Diseases diagnoses for rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder. Study Impact: Our chart review identified a discrepancy between diagnostic clinical and research guidelines requiring polysomnography to confirm the presence of rapid eye movement sleep without atonia and widespread clinical practice for diagnosing rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder. Sleep centers should therefore consider adding a brief sentence to existing report templates requiring commentary on the presence or absence of rapid eye movement sleep without atonia.