Long COVID is a term used to describe the prolonged symptoms experienced by individuals who have recovered from COVID-19. A new study has shed light on one particular aspect of this condition – the link between disturbed sleep and breathlessness in patients who were hospitalized with COVID-19. The study has caused ripples across the medical community, as experts weigh in on its findings and implications for the treatment of long COVID. In this article, we will take a closer look at the study and the expert reaction to it.
The effects of COVID-19 extend beyond the initial infection, with many individuals experiencing long-term symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath, and difficulty sleeping. A recent study published in Lancet Respiratory Medicine and presented at the European Congress of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases (ECCMID) sheds light on the relationship between sleep disturbance, dyspnoea, and impaired lung function following hospital admission due to COVID-19 in the UK.
The study, conducted as an observational cohort study, invited individuals who were hospitalised with COVID-19 to participate, with approximately 50% agreeing to do so. The data collected suggests that poor sleep quality and poor quality of life are closely associated with breathlessness. While there remains uncertainty around the causal pathway between poor sleep and breathlessness, it is encouraging that targeting sleep disruptions following admission to the hospital for COVID-19 may be a low-risk, high-gain approach to aid recovery.
According to Professor Nicholas Hart, a professor of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine at King’s College London, further research is warranted to confirm or exclude sleep-disordered breathing or other sleep disorders such as periodic limb movement disorder to help physicians apply interventions to improve sleep quality and assess the impact on breathlessness and anxiety.
Dr Julie Darbyshire, a senior researcher at the University of Oxford, notes that poor sleep following hospital admission is widespread, with patients rarely sleeping well in hospital. She also highlights the importance of using validated methods to assess sleep and control limitations in the study design, such as recalling sleep before hospitalisation, to ensure the data’s reliability.
Professor Amitava Banerjee, a professor of Clinical Data Science and Honorary Consultant Cardiologist at the Institute of Health Informatics, UCL, notes that while the study provides essential insights into the physical and mental impact of COVID-19, several limitations include potential bias in the patient pool and the lack of a causal relationship between sleep disturbance and symptoms such as breathlessness and anxiety.
In conclusion, while the study provides important insights, there is still much to learn about the lasting effects of COVID-19 on patients and how physicians can combat long-term symptoms effectively. Nonetheless, improving sleep quality following hospitalisation for COVID-19 may aid in improving general health and recovery, including muscle strength, anxiety, and breathlessness. It may also help in reducing patients’ risk of chronic disease, making it an approach warranting further research.
In conclusion, the findings of this study shed light on another aspect of long COVID that many patients may experience – disturbed sleep and breathlessness. The expert reactions provide valuable insights into the potential causes and treatment options for these symptoms, which can greatly improve the quality of life for those affected. As the world continues to grapple with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, it is crucial that we continue to study and understand the long-term effects of the virus on individuals, in order to provide the best possible care and support for those who have been impacted.
