COVID-19: what are the risks for patients with sleep disorders?

Abstract

Coronavirus pandemic significantly changed our lives, leading to long-lasting medical, social, economic, psychological consequences. Currently, when the COVID-19 morbidity growth is less galloping, the more important are the issues of long-lasting prognosis, rehabilitation, immunity stability, risk of recurrent infection etc. An increased incidence of stress-induced somatic and mental diseases is envisaged. Among them, sleep disorders appear to be significant and can result from various reasons: change in habitual life style, work regimen, decrease in physical activity during self-isolation, lesser daylight exposure and greater exposure to artificial light (including screens of electronic devices). The evidence confirms an important role of sleep in human health and wellbeing. The paper summarizes data on the role of sleep in immune system regulation. We pay special attention to sleep-disordered breathing which is associated with the higher risk of infection by SARS-CoV-2 and more severe COVID-19. Other sleep disorders, including changes in sleep quality and duration during the pandemic, are also discussed. The paper reviews the existing approaches to manage stress-induced sleep disorders which are applicable in the pandemic and can be implemented in rehabilitation procedures.