Investigating the Effects of the Subjective Sleep Parameters on COVID-19 Infection Probability and Severity in Medical Interns

Ehsan Bastanhagh; Reza Erfanian

doi:10.18502/jimc.v5i1.9572

Ehsan Bastanhagh Department of Anesthesiology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Reza Erfanian Department of Otorhinolaryngolgy, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/jimc.v5i1.9572

Keywords: COVID-19, Human, Immunity Sleep parameter, Sleep time

Abstract

Background: Sleep has a well-recognized impact on human immunity. COVID-19 infectivity and severity depend on the immune system of the host. Medical interns are at risk for the development of this disease and have poor sleep quality. In this study, the association between sleep quality and COVID-19 infection development and severity in medical students was evaluated.

Methods: In the current study, 50 medical students were enrolled. Demographic and subjective sleep parameters were documented and compared with COVID-19 infection history and development of dyspnea. Chronotype was assessed by the reduced Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (rMEQ).

Results: The total sleep time in infected medical intern were 68.14 minutes shorter than non-infected one (p=0.048). The wake time was one hour and twelve minutes earlier in the group which developed dyspnea (p=0.020). Age, gender, rMEQ score and Body Mass Index (BMI) are significantly associated with neither COVID-19 infection history nor dyspnea.

Conclusion: Short sleep time and early morning awakening are bound up with the prevalence and severity of COVID-19 in medical interns.