Evaluation of sleep quality among post-COVID patients: findings from a 6- month follow-up study

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.