Survey Reveals High Rates of Insomnia Among Vietnamese COVID-19 Patients
A recent survey conducted in Vietnam has shed light on the prevalence of insomnia among individuals who have recovered from mild COVID-19 infections. The study, published in Frontiers in Public Health, found that a staggering 76% of respondents reported experiencing insomnia, with 22.8% describing their symptoms as severe.
The survey involved 1,056 adults who had been diagnosed with COVID-19 in the past six months. All participants were sourced from a national Vietnamese register of confirmed cases and had not required hospitalization for their infections. Additionally, none of the participants had a history of insomnia or psychiatric conditions.
From June to September 2022, participants completed surveys that assessed various symptoms following their COVID-19 infections. Alongside demographic information, they were asked about the duration and severity of their infections, as well as any symptoms of anxiety, depression, or stress.
One of the key findings of the study was the significant impact of COVID-19 on sleep quality. Among the 76.1% of respondents who reported experiencing insomnia, half stated that they now frequently wake up during the night. Furthermore, one-third of participants reported difficulty falling asleep.
The prevalence of insomnia among COVID-19 patients was found to be much higher than that among the general population, which typically ranges from 10% to 20%. Interestingly, there was no correlation between the severity or duration of initial COVID-19 symptoms and the subsequent development of insomnia. Even individuals who had experienced asymptomatic infections reported insomnia.
However, the study did identify a strong link between insomnia and mental health. Participants who reported an increase in depressive or anxiety symptoms following their COVID-19 infections were found to be at a higher risk of developing insomnia. Those with high depression scores had more than triple the odds of developing insomnia, while those with high anxiety scores had nearly four times the odds.
The authors of the study emphasized the importance of addressing the psychological and sleep health of COVID-19 patients after recovery. They suggested that pharmacologic treatment of insomnia may be necessary in these cases.
Lead author Dr. Huong T. X. Hoang, a sleep researcher from Phenikaa University in Vietnam, expressed his personal experience with the issue. He had received numerous complaints from friends, relatives, and colleagues about sleep disturbances following recovery from COVID-19. Dr. Hoang emphasized that experiencing insomnia after COVID-19 should not be considered normal.
The findings of this survey highlight the need for comprehensive interventions to support the psychological and sleep well-being of individuals who have recovered from COVID-19. By addressing these issues, healthcare professionals can provide much-needed support to patients during their recovery journey.
