Abstract
With the onset of the COVID-19 outbreak, it was stipulated that patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) may have a greater risk of morbidity and mortality and may even experience changes in their mental health. The aim of the current study is to evaluate how patients managed their disease (sleep apnea) during the COVID-19 pandemic, to determine if continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) usage changed after the beginning of the pandemic, to compare the stress level with the baseline, and to observe if any modifications are related to their individual characteristics. The present studies highlight the level of anxiety, which was high among patients with OSA during the COVID-19 pandemic (p < 0.05), with its influence on weight control (62.5% of patients with high levels of stress gained weight) and sleep schedule (82.6% reported a change in sleep schedule). Patients with severe OSA and high levels of stress increased their CPAP usage (354.5 min/night vs. 399.5 min/night during the pandemic, p < 0.05). To conclude, in OSA patients, the presence of the pandemic led to a greater level of anxiety, changes in sleep schedule and weight gain because of job loss, isolation, and emotional changes, influencing mental health. A possible solution, telemedicine, could become a cornerstone in the management of these patients.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
More From: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.