Dados do Trabalho

Título

SLEEP QUALITY AND INSOMNIA AMONG PATIENTS RECOVERED FROM COVID-19: IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION

Introdução

Changes in sleep patterns have been documented worldwide since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. Among people infected by the new coronavirus, sleep disturbances were detected even after the acute phase of the disease, becoming a prevalent problem in Post-Covid Syndrome.

Objetivo

The present study evaluated the quality of sleep (QS) and prevalence of insomnia among Covid-19 survivors undergoing a physical rehabilitation program.

Métodos

This is a descriptive, observational and cross-sectional study using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI); Insomnia Severity Index (ISI); and the question "whether sleep was better before Covid-19"; approved by the research ethics committee.

Resultados

Forty-two patients were evaluated between May and August 2021, referred to the Post-Covid Rehabilitation section, aged 45.6±14.5 years, 23 women (55%), BMI of 29.8±5.5 kg/m², median Covid diagnosis time of 96 days (22-485) and 60% with mild functional limitation (grade II). Twenty-five patients were hospitalized (59%) for an average of 15 days (1-90), 12 in intensive care (2 to 30 days) and 20 in the ward (1 to 60 days). Overall, poor QS and sleep disturbance occurred for 34 patients (81%), with 19 (56%) reporting sleeping well before Covid-19. Only eight patients (19%) had good QS. Twenty-two patients had a positive insomnia score, at the lower limit (33%), moderate (17%) or severe (2%); of which nine said reported having good quality sleep before Covid. Prevalence of Insomnia was 25% among wards hospitalization and 33% of critical cases. QS was compromised among 95% of patients hospitalized in the ward and for 66% of those who were in intensive care. Fatigue was the most prevalent symptom among other sleep disruptors.

Conclusões

QS was impaired for most patients, with insomnia for more than half, for which sleep also became poor after Covid-19. High prevalence of fatigue, obesity and repercussions of illness should be considered. In view of the negative impact and bidirectional relationship of impaired sleep and physical and mental recovery, a more accurate investigation of sleep, as well therapies for its interfering factors, should be incorporated into the rehabilitation program.

Palavras-chave

Sleep Quality, Post-Covid-19 Syndrome, Rehabilitation, Insomnia.