Sleep and Mood Disturbances during the COVID-19 Outbreak in an Urban Chinese Population in Hong Kong: A Longitudinal Study of the Second and Third Waves of the Outbreak.

Chun Sing Lam,Simon Ching Lam,Wing-Fai Yeung,Teris Cheung,Branda Yee-Man Yu,Fiona Yan-Yee Ho,Ka-Fai Chung,Denise Shuk Ting Cheung

doi:10.3390/ijerph18168444

Abstract

In response to the worsening situation of the COVID pandemic, this follow-up study aimed to assess the impact of the “third wave” of the outbreak on sleep and mood disturbances among Hong Kong citizens. A total of 339 respondents included in our last study during the second wave (4–11 August 2020) joined this survey (response rate = 51.1%). The questionnaire collected data on sleep conditions, mood, stress, and risk perception. The sleep quality and mood status were assessed using the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), General Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), and Patient Health Questionnaire-9. The weighted prevalence of insomnia, anxiety, and depression was 33.6%, 15.3%, and 22.0%, respectively. Compared with the last survey, five out of six sleep parameters significantly worsened despite the lack of difference in the ISI score. The GAD-7 score was significantly lower. Old-aged adults were less likely to maintain good sleep quality compared with middle-aged adults (adjusted OR = 4.03, 95% CI: 1.04–15.73). Respondents without psychiatric disorder were more likely to be anxiety-free across the two time points (adjusted OR = 7.12, 95% CI: 1.33–38.03). One-third of Hong Kong people reported poor sleeping quality in the third wave of the COVID-19 outbreak. Policy-makers need to propose a contingent plan to allocate mental health resources to vulnerable subpopulations.

Highlights

The impact of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on mental health is significant
Old age and higher General Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) score at time point 1 were associated with insomnia or worsening in sleep quality, whereas the history of psychiatric disorder and high Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) score at time point 1 were associated with worsening anxiety level
Respondents’ general level of anxiety was reduced, this study reported that people with a history of psychiatric disorders were much more likely to suffer from anxiety during the pandemic

Summary

Introduction

A meta-analysis including 55 studies in multiple countries (N = 189,159) revealed that the pooled prevalence rates of insomnia, depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder, and psychological distress were 23.87%, 15.97%, 15.15%, 21.94%, and 13.29%, respectively. These prevalence estimates suggested that insomnia was the most prevalent symptom among the psychological sequelae [1]. These cross-sectional point-estimates provided timely insights into the psychological consequences of COVID-19, but the pandemic represented a highly dynamic occasion, which may be accompanied with changing severity of psychological sequelae.

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion