The Impact of Acute COVID-19 Infection on Sleep Disorders: A Real-life Descriptive Study during the Outbreak of COVID-19 Pandemic in Vietnam

Abstract

Background: Sleep has an essential role in restoring brain activity and balancing physiological, immune, and metabolic factors in the body. Individuals, after being infected with COVID-19, have been reported to have quite a lot of symptoms related to sleep disorders, so we conducted this study to evaluate sleep disorders in patients with COVID-19. Methods: This study involved a cross-sectional design; 547 patients hospitalised due to COVID-19 and aged 18 years and above were included. The study used the questionnaire designed by the Vietnam Society of Sleep Medicine (VSSM). Collected data were statistically analyzed and results have been obtained using SPSS software version 22.0. Results: Nightmares have been found to be increased by 10.1%, sleep quality decreased by 51.2%, and insomnia increased by 19%, compared to pre-infection. There were 24% of participants with daytime sleepiness syndrome, 23% with symptoms of memory impairment, 17% with unexplained anxiety and frustration, and 10% with loud snoring. In addition, the manifestations of sleep disorders also became more and more severe than before the infection. 68.4% of subjects were not satisfied with their current sleeping, 29.1% had sleep difficulties, including maintaining sleep, and 19.4% had trouble falling asleep. Conclusion: Sleep disturbance is a critical and common medical condition in COVID-19 patients. It is necessary to have appropriate treatment measures for insomnia in COVID-19 patients to help improve their health status and avoid post-COVID-19 sequelae.