An International study of Post-COVID Sleep Health

Objectives: COVID-19 has infected millions of people worldwide with growing evidence showing 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 testing positive for COVID-19. Design: Cross-sectional.Setting. Online survey, in English and Spanish, distributed online between March 4–June 15, 2021.Participants. 1001 individuals who reported a positive diagnosis of COVID-19 across different geographical regions, including North and South America, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Europe.Measurements: Self-reported sleep health, using the RU-SATED 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 six 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 predictor 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 current 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. Clinicians and researchers should assess sleep health in individuals with a history of COVID-19 and investigate long-term associations with their mental and physical health, as well as potential benefits of improving sleep in this population.