Sleep disorders in the follow-up of COVID-19 infection: A Single Center Experience

Abstract

Introduction: This study aims to investigate sleep-related disorders and their possible causes after COVID-19 infection.
 Material and Methods: The data of patients over the age of 18 with a history of COVID-19 infection who applied to our Sleep Disorders Unit in the last 3 months were obtained retrospectively from anamnesis, laboratory, imaging, and polysomnography examinations. The data of Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI), Epworth sleepiness scale and Beck anxiety inventory (BAI) tests of patients were included in the study.
 Results: After COVID-19 infection, in all patients, reason for admitting to our Sleep Disorders Unit was complaints of insomnia. Another sleep-related disorder was determined in 64% of the patients (Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS) is the most common with 52%). The history of the chronic cardiorespiratory, cerebral, endocrine-metabolic disease was significantly higher in patients having complaints of insomnia and another accompanying sleep-related disorders (68% vs 0%, p=0.001). Also, the history of hospitalization in these patients was higher, although not significant(50% vs 11%, p=0.088). For all patients, the median BAI value and the mean PSQI value were high (13 and 11.6, respectively), but no correlation was found between them (p=0.336).
 Conclusions: The most common reason for sleep-related admission after COVID-19 infection is complaints of insomnia and if there is a history of chronic cardiorespiratory, cerebral, endocrine-metabolic disease and/or hospitalization because of COVID-19 infection, another accompanying sleep-related disorders, especially OSAS, should investigate. Also, the severity of anxiety disorder as a cause of insomnia complaints is not correlated with the deterioration in sleep quality.