An international study of post-COVID sleep health, 2022, Alzueta et al

Abstract

Objectives
COVID-19 has infected millions of people worldwide, with growing evidence that individuals with a history of infection may continue to show persistent post-COVID symptoms (long COVID). The aim of this study was to investigate sleep health in an international sample of individuals who reported previously testing positive for COVID-19.

Design
Cross-sectional.

Setting
Online survey distributed online between March and June 2021.

Participants
A total of 1001 individuals who reported a positive diagnosis of COVID-19 across different geographical regions, including North and South America, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Europe.

Measurements
Self-reported sleep health, using the Regulatory Satisfaction Alertness Timing Efficiency Duration scale, as recalled before a COVID-19 diagnosis and also reported currently.

Results
Individuals reported worse overall current sleep health, with lower ratings across the 6 dimensions of sleep health (sleep regularity, satisfaction, alertness, timing, efficiency, and duration) compared to their ratings as recalled before COVID-19 infection. Greater severity of COVID-19 symptoms was the strongest predictor of poor current sleep health (P < .001), independent of demographics, presence of a pre-existing chronic health condition, and time since infection. Poor current sleep health was associated with poorer current quality of life (P < .001).

Conclusions
Poor current sleep health is evident in individuals with a history of COVID-19, particularly those with more severe symptoms at the time of their COVID-19 infection and is associated with a poorer quality of life. Clinicians and researchers should assess sleep health in COVID-19 patients and investigate long-term associations with their mental and physical health, as well as potential benefits of improving sleep in this population.

Open access, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352721822001127

 

Ugh. Disappointing that this is still mostly unaddressed and investigated superficially. Lots of people reported some weird insomnia that lasted for days, just complete inability to fall asleep or feel somnolent at all, like the sleep switch turned off. I had a similar episode that in hindsight was a sort of turning point. Didn't last long but this was not at all your regular insomnia.

Still years away from being properly researched. There's just no one following leads and threads, just generic "here's a bunch of people, let's see what's common". So weak.