ABSTRACT
Background: Literature suggests that the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in poor sleep quality, especially among the infected population. However, literature regarding the effect of COVID-19 pandemic and SARS-CoV-2 infection on occurrence of insomnia, restless legs syndrome and dream enactment behavior is either scarce or unavailable. Methods: This study was planned to assess the effect of SARS-CoV-2 infection on the occurrence of insomnia, restless legs syndrome (RLS) and dream enactment behavior (DEB). For this cross-sectional study, a questionnaire comprising of items related to demographic details, past medical history, and information related to SARS-CoV-2 infection was distributed through social media. Insomnia was diagnosed using clinical criteria. RLS, DEB, sleep quality, depression and anxiety were assessed using a validated questionnaire. Information regarding the use of hypnotic medications was also gathered. Results: Of the 1596 respondents, 37.2% reported disturbed sleep while insomnia was reported by 22.6% respondents. 27.3% of respondents reported RLS and 17.4% suffered DEB. The odds of insomnia were greater among males (OR = 1.27; 95% CI: 1.03-1.58; P < 0.02) and among those who had SARS-CoV-2 infection (OR = 1.76; 95% CI = 1.42-2.19; P < 0.001). Similarly, SARS-CoV-2 infection was also associated with increased odds of RLS (OR = 2.48; 95% CI = 1.98-3.11; P < 0.001) and DEB (OR = 1.58; 95%CI = 1.21-2.06; P < 0.001). Insomnia, RLS and DEB were more frequent among respondents who required oxygen therapy, those who experienced loss of taste and/or smell, depression and anxiety. Prevalence of insomnia, DEB and RLS was higher than said prevalence among respondents with no history of SARS-CoV-2 infection, but lower than that of those with positive history of SARS-CoV-2 infection. 5.3% of respondents reported taking hypnotic medications before infection, 7% during infection and 5.3% after infection. Conclusion: SARS-CoV-2-infection-related factors in association with environmental factors have increased the prevalence of insomnia, DEB and RLS among subjects having infection. SARS-CoV-2-associated immunological changes, hypoxia and neurotropism may play a role in occurrence of insomnia, DEB and RLS.
ABSTRACT
Background and Objective: The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has affected more than four million people in 213 countries. Health care workers (HCWs) who deal with COVID-19 patients have a high chance of getting infected. They have got valid concerns regarding their own health as well as the impact it can have on the wellbeing of their family and acquaintances. The current study aims to assess the prevalence of psychological problems among HCWs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among HCWs of Wah Medical College and Pakistan Ordnance Factories (POF) Hospital Wah Cantt from 1st May 2020 to 7th May 2020 after an ethical approval by ethical review board. A total of 340 HCWs participated by filling an online questionairre;questions on demographic profile and validated Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) score were included. Frequency of depression, anxiety and stress and mean DASS-21 scores between house officers and all other healthcare workers and between Medicine and allied department and other departments was assessed. Data was analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS)-23. P-value = 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Among 340 HCWs majority i.e. 66.8% were less than 35 years of age and the mean age of participants was 40.65 ± 11.64 years. There was a female proponderance with a F:M ratio of 1.7:1. Most (55.3%) of the participants were single and there was a high percentage of house officers with 45% among all. The overall prevalence of depressiom, anxiety and stress among all HCWs was 32.9%, 25% and 23.5% respectively. The depression, anxiety and stress among house officers than other HCWs and higher prevalence in Medicine and Allied Departments than other departments. Conclusion: As the global threat of COVID-19 continues to emerge, it is important not to underestimate the psychological impact of this pandemic on HCWs. Interventions and support to especially vulnerable groups of HCWs will help improve psychological health, which in turn will help improve the quality of patient care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Biomedica is the property of Knowledge Bylanes and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)