ABSTRACT
Background: The current literature concerning sleep quality among post-COVID patients is limited. The aim of this observational cohort study was to evaluate if there is significant and persistent sleep disturbance in patients after recovery from COVID-19. The patients were followed up 1, 3, and 6 months after hospital discharge (in-person visits). Sleep quality was evaluated in each visit with the aid of multiple structured questionnaires: Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS), Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), Stop-BANG (S-B) questionnaire. Result(s): 131 patients (59.5% males) aged 56.1+/- 11.2 with prior hospitalization due to SARS-CoV-2 infection were enrolled. The most common comorbidities were arterial hypertension (30.6% of patients), cardiovascular disease other than arterial hypertension (17.4%) and chronic obstructive lung disease (11.6%), while 38% of patients had no comorbid conditions. The mean values of the global PSQI were 8.28 +/-3.8, 7.43+/-3.7, and 7.46+/-3.5 in the first, second and third follow up respectively. Statistically significant differences were found for sleep quality (PSQI) between the first and second (p=0.001) and between the first and third visit (p=0.046). During the first visit, the ESS was 6.3+/-4.2, AIS: 7.1+/-4.9, S-B: 2.9+/-1.5 and FSS : 3.65+/-1.8. Statistically significant differences were found for FSS between the first and second (p=0.003) and for FSS (p=0.001) and AIS (p=0.048) between the first and third visit. Conclusion(s): Our findings reveal significant and persistent sleep disturbance up to 6 months after hospital discharge, although there was notable amelioration over time.