Long-term Effects of COVID-19 on Sleep Patterns

Objective: To examine the long-term impact of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) on sleep patterns and prevalence of sleep disorders and to increase public health awareness of long COVID. MATERIAL AND

Methods: Using the centralized Massachusetts General Brigham Research Patient Data Registry (RPDR), severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-positive patients were surveyed about their sleep patterns before and after the viral infection. Information related to co-morbid conditions and medications was obtained through chart review.

Results: Two hundred forty-six completed surveys were analyzed. The average age was 53.3 ± 16.3 years, and participants were predominantly non-Hispanic White (84.1%) and female (74.3%). The average BMI (kg/m2 ) was 29.9 ± 6.9, and a greater proportion were non-smokers (63.2%). After COVID-19, there was an increase in the percentage of participants reporting difficulty initiating sleep (39 ± 49% vs 31 ± 46% prior to COVID infection, P = .01). Similarly, the participants reported difficulty maintaining sleep after COVID infection (57% vs 43% prior to infection P < .001). Additionally, there was an increase in the use of sleep aids (30% vs 24% before the infection, P = .003). The participants also reported a decrease in feeling rested and an increase in the need for napping (58% vs. 36%, P < .0001) and (27% vs. 40%, P < .0001), respectively. The sleep symptoms persisted beyond 12 months among 28% of the participants.

Conclusion: Infection by SARS-CoV-2 was shown to have negative effects on sleep, and a significant proportion of adults experienced insomnia and daytime sleepiness beyond 12 months after recovering from the initial infection.

Cite this article as: Batool-Anwar S, Fashanu OS, Quan SF. Long-term effects of COVID-19 on sleep patterns. Thorac Res Pract. Published online September 16, 2024. doi 10.51512/ThoracResPract.2024.24013.