Past COVID-19 infection linked to poor sleep

People with a history of COVID-19 appear to have reduced sleep quality, as reported in a study.

The study included 76 adults aged 50–85 years old, of which 48 had recovered from COVID-19 (COVID group; mean age 59.5 years, 58.3 percent female, mean BMI 26.3 kg/m²) and 28 had no history of infection (control group; mean age 62.1 years, 64.3 percent female, mean BMI 26.5 kg/m²).

All participants underwent pulmonary function assessment (forced vital capacity [FVC] and slow vital capacity [SVC]) using spirometry. They also wore an actigraphy around their wrist for 7 days for objective measurement of sleep and circadian variables. Subjective sleep was evaluated using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI).

Compared with the control group, the COVID group had similar pulmonary function (mean FVC, 4.02 vs 3.80, p=0.36; mean SVC: 3.82 vs 3.89 L; p=0.76). However, the COVID group had poorer sleep quality than the control group, with significantly reduced sleep efficiency (mean, 0.87 vs 0.91; p<0.01), increased sleep disturbance (awakenings, 1.70 vs 1.15, p<0.01; wakefulness after sleep onset, 35:05 vs 20:02 min, p=0.01), and higher PSQI score (mean, 5.19 vs 3.93; p=0.01).

No significant between-group differences were observed for sleep onset latency, time in bed, and total sleep time.

The findings suggest that poor sleep quality should be considered both as a sequela and risk factor for COVID-19, researchers said. They emphasized the need for close monitoring of sleep health and for interventions to improve sleep quality to avoid future sleep health-related complications.