Sleep Issues Linked to Increased COVID-19 Risks, Study Finds

A recent study has found that individuals struggling with sleep disturbances face a higher risk of catching COVID-19 and experiencing severe outcomes from the disease. This research, which looked at data from over 8 million adults, highlights the importance of our sleep patterns in the context of health and disease.

Experts, including Jiawei Zhou from The First Hospital of China Medical University, point out that sleep issues like obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), insomnia, and abnormal sleep durations are more than just common problems; they significantly increase vulnerability to COVID-19. Many previous studies have mainly focused on how COVID-19 affects sleep, rather than how sleep problems can influence COVID-19 susceptibility.

The analysis, published in The Lancet Discovery Science, reviewed findings from 48 observational studies. It revealed alarming odds ratios, showing that preexisting sleep disturbances were linked to a greater risk of COVID-19 infection, hospitalization, mortality, and long COVID.

The study found younger adults under 60 were more likely to get infected and hospitalized than their older counterparts with sleep issues. However, older adults faced a higher mortality risk from COVID-19 if they had preexisting sleep disturbances. Interestingly, men had a higher risk of dying from COVID-19 compared to women with similar sleep conditions.

Specific sleep disturbances also had varying levels of impact on COVID-19 outcomes. For instance, those with OSA showed increased risks across all evaluated categories, while those with abnormal sleep durations had a greater chance of developing long COVID.

The findings suggest that disrupted sleep can compromise the immune system, potentially leading to higher susceptibility and severity of infections. Chronic sleep issues may lead to heightened inflammation and other health problems that contribute to serious consequences from COVID-19.

Experts, including Arun Chatterjee, advocate for the need for improved sleep assessments as part of regular health checks. He emphasizes that understanding and addressing sleep disturbances could play a significant role in preventing and managing COVID-19 outcomes.