An international study of post-COVID sleep health

Objectives: COVID-19 has infected millions of people worldwide, with growing evidence that individuals with a history of infection may continue to show persistent post-COVID symptoms (long COVID). The aim of this study was to investigate sleep health in an international sample of individuals who reported previously test-ing positive for COVID-19.Design: Cross-sectional.Setting: Online survey distributed online between March and June 2021.Participants: A total of 1001 individuals who reported a positive diagnosis of COVID-19 across different geo-graphical regions, including North and South America, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Europe.Measurements: Self-reported sleep health, using the Regulatory Satisfaction Alertness Timing Efficiency Dura-tion scale, as recalled before a COVID-19 diagnosis and also reported currently.Results: Individuals reported worse overall current sleep health, with lower ratings across the 6 dimensions of sleep health (sleep regularity, satisfaction, alertness, timing, efficiency, and duration) compared to their ratings as recalled before COVID-19 infection. Greater severity of COVID-19 symptoms was the strongest pre-dictor of poor current sleep health (P < .001), independent of demographics, presence of a pre-existing chronic health condition, and time since infection. Poor current sleep health was associated with poorer cur-rent quality of life (P < .001).Conclusions: Poor current sleep health is evident in individuals with a history of COVID-19, particularly those with more severe symptoms at the time of their COVID-19 infection and is associated with a poorer quality of life. Clini-cians and researchers should assess sleep health in COVID-19 patients and investigate long-term associations with their mental and physical health, as well as potential benefits of improving sleep in this population.(c) 2022 National Sleep Foundation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This study investigated sleep health in individuals with a history of COVID-19 and found that their current sleep health is poorer, especially in those with more severe symptoms. Compared to before their COVID-19 infection, individuals reported lower overall sleep health and ratings across the dimensions of sleep health. The severity of COVID-19 symptoms was the strongest predictor of poor current sleep health, and poor sleep health was associated with poorer quality of life.