A recent meta-analysis of 48 observational studies involving 8,664,026 individuals has found a significant connection between pre-existing sleep problems and heightened risks associated with COVID-19 infection, as well as worsened outcomes post-infection. Published in eClinicalMedicine, the study highlights that various sleep disturbances, such as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), insomnia, abnormal sleep duration, night-shift work, and restless legs syndrome, were already documented before individuals contracted COVID-19.
Studies from 15 countries, including 19 from the US, were analyzed, with sample sizes ranging widely. The meta-analysis revealed that pre-existing sleep disturbances were associated with a 12% increased risk of COVID-19 infection (odds ratio [OR] 1.12, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.07 to 1.18), a 25% higher likelihood of hospitalization (OR 1.25, 95% CI 1.15 to 1.36), a 45% higher risk of death (OR 1.45, 95% CI 1.19 to 1.78), and a 36% higher chance of experiencing long COVID (OR 1.36, 95% CI 1.17 to 1.57).
The findings varied by age and gender. Men with sleep disturbances showed a higher mortality risk from COVID-19 compared to women with similar sleep issues. Young individuals with pre-existing sleep problems were more susceptible to COVID-19 infection and hospitalization compared to their peers without such issues. For older individuals, pre-existing sleep disturbances increased the risks of hospitalization and mortality from COVID-19 but did not affect susceptibility rates.
The authors concluded that compromised immune function induced by sleep disturbances likely contributes to these observed associations, emphasizing the importance of addressing sleep health as a potential mitigating factor in COVID-19 outcomes across different demographic groups.
