Impact of COVID19 infection on patients with OSA:A longitudinal study

Abstract

<b>Aim:</b> To study the severity and impact of COVID 19 infection in patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea. <b>Methodology:</b> This is a 11 months observational longitudinal study of 12 OSA and 15 non OSA patients.Subjects were assessed with COVID 19 infection medical record, present chief complaints and Polysomnography parameters including sleep architecture in pre and post COVID period. <b>Result:</b> Chief complaints of anxiety, mean of awakening, non refreshing sleep, headache were more in OSA patients in post COVID period. Most of the OSA patients suffered from Severe COVID 19 infection than non OSA patients with Odd Ratio of 3.25. and majority were male (62.5%). Severity of COVID correlated significantly with BMI and AHI(r=0.774;p&lt;0.003 and r=0.907;p&lt;0.001 respectively) in OSA patients. There is more use of high flow oxygen device and noninvasive ventilation with mean hospital stay of 27.33d(SD:10.7)more than non OSA patients of 2.13d(SD:0.91). Mean difference of increased AHI and ESS scores in post covid period were statistically significant (r=0.907;p&lt;0.001 and r=0.893;p&lt;0.001 respectively) in OSA patients. Mean of maximum desaturation dropped significantly from 83.33(SD:4.83)to79.50(SD:4.81)(r=-0.727;p=0.007). There is statistically significant reduction in Sleep efficiency, N3 stage and increased Arousal Index, Sleep latency, WASO among OSA patients. PAP adherence increased from mean of 5.375 (SD:0.85)hr to 5.6 (SD: 1.04)hr per night. <b>Conclusion:</b> This study reveals that OSA patients suffered from Severe COVID infection, requiring more healthcare support. Derangement of sleep architecture was more in OSA patients, which may put forward some understanding&nbsp;regarding persistent post COVID symptoms observed in OSA patients.