Status of the practice of sleep medicine in India during the COVID-19 pandemic.
J Clin Sleep Med
; 17(6): 1229-1235, 2021 06 01.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1094317
ABSTRACT
STUDY OBJECTIVES:
Like other medical branches, the practice of sleep medicine has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic; however, the actual impact is not known. This study was planned to assess the status of the practice of sleep medicine in India during the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown.METHODS:
This was an online questionnaire-based descriptive study. A 25-item questionnaire was developed to assess the functioning of sleep laboratories, use of telemedicine, and positive airway pressure therapy during the COVID-19 pandemic in India. The questionnaire was sent to the sleep physicians of 2 major sleep medicine societies of India. Responses were analyzed.RESULTS:
In this study, the response rate was 64.6%. During this pandemic, 72% of physicians reported that they had closed sleep laboratory, whereas 24% reported shifting to home sleep apnea testing. Only half of the sleep physicians confirmed awareness of the disinfection guidelines proposed by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine to prevent COVID-19 infection in the sleep laboratory. However, almost all of them reported taking preventive measures like the use of protective gear. Sixty-one percent of physicians advised mitigating strategies as a temporary measure to their patients of obstructive sleep apnea. A total of 58.6% opined that auto-positive airway pressure might be used for uncomplicated obstructive sleep apnea without diagnostic polysomnography during the pandemic. Eighty-four percent of physicians reported that they were continuing their services through a telemedicine facility. Physicians reported that consultations for insomnia and circadian rhythm sleep disorders increased during the pandemic.CONCLUSIONS:
Sleep laboratories were reportedly closed during the COVID-19 pandemic, and most of the sleep physicians were providing services through telemedicine. The majority reported that auto-positive airway pressure without diagnostic polysomnography could be an effective option for uncomplicated obstructive sleep apnea. Consultation for insomnia and circadian rhythm sleep disorders reportedly increased during the lockdown.Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Sleep Medicine Specialty
/
Pandemics
/
COVID-19
Type of study:
Diagnostic study
/
Observational study
Limits:
Humans
Country/Region as subject:
Asia
Language:
English
Journal:
J Clin Sleep Med
Year:
2021
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Jcsm.9172
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