Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the sleep quality of medical professionals in Brazil

Abstract

Introduction: Coronavirus pandemic began in China in 2019 (COVID-19), causing not only public health problems but also great psychological distress, especially for physicians involved in coping with the virus or those of the risk group in social isolation, and this represents a challenge for the psychological resilience in the world population. Studies showed that health professionals had psychological symptoms such as depression, anxiety, insomnia, stress, among others. Objectives: To investigate the quality of sleep and the prevalence rate of sleeping disorders among physicians during COVID-19 pandemic, and identify the psychological and social factors associated with the condition. Methods: A cross-sectional study of an online questionnaire was applied for physicians in Brazil. Among the 332 participants included, 227 were women. Sociodemographic assessment was used in the questionnaire, as well as the scale of impact on the events of modifications caused by COVID-19, assessment on sleep quality (PSQI), presence and severity of insomnia (ISI), depressive symptoms (PHQ-9), and anxiety (GAD-7). Results: Most physicians (65.6%) had changes in sleep. Poor sleep quality was reported by 73.1%, depressive symptoms were present in 75.8%, and anxiety in 73.4%. Conclusion: Our study found that more than 70% of the physicians assessed had impaired sleep quality, characterizing insomnia symptoms during COVID-19 outbreak. Related factors included an environment of isolation, concerns about COVID-19 outbreak and symptoms of anxiety and depression. Special interventions are needed to promote health professionals’ mental well-being and implement changes in this scenario.

Poor Sleep Quality and Daytime Sleepiness in Health Professionals: Prevalence and Associated Factors

“…Although this study was performed in 2018 and 2019, before the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, this topic has been the subject of much research in the present context [ 10 , 11 ]. In Brazil, the prevalence of impaired sleep quality among physicians reached 70% as of 2020 [ 26 ]. This is because the pandemic has had a major impact on the work environment, particularly for frontline health professionals at increased risk of infection, with an overwhelming workload and an isolating environment.…”

Anxiety, health-related quality of life, and symptoms of burnout in frontline physicians during the COVID-19 pandemic

“…Although the main focus of frontline healthcare workers (HCW) is on minimizing transmission and treating COVID-19 patients, the pandemic impact on mental health and its consequences cannot be underestimated 4 . Healthcare workers are facing increased mental health problems, such as insomnia, anxiety, depression 5 , 6 , burnout syndrome (BS) 7 , and poor health-related quality of life (HRQOL) 3 . In Italy, frontline HCW presented with many symptoms of work-related psychological stress and burnout during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic.…”

“…Some aspects, including fear of infecting relatives, long and direct care for COVID-19 patients, and sleep disorders may contribute to the risk of developing psychological symptoms 6 , 8 . Yet, there are few studies linking anxiety to HRQOL and BS exclusively among physicians 4 .…”

Impacto psicológico e fatores associados à pandemia da COVID-19 e ao distanciamento social em Minas Gerais, Brasil: Estudo transversal

“…Os profissionais de saúde mineiros que estão na linha de frente demonstraram menor prevalência de TMC nesta pesquisa. Acredita-se que o tamanho da amostra e o período de coleta dos dados podem ser fatores que influenciaram este resultado, posto que outras pesquisas demonstraram que os profissionais de saúde apresentam significativas prevalências de depressão, ansiedade, estresse e problemas para dormir (Brito-Marques, Franco, Brito-Marques, Martinez, & Prado, 2021;Danet Danet, 2021). Uma pesquisa com médicos brasileiros constatou 49,79% de prevalência de TMC, principalmente nos profissionais que trabalhavam no serviço público (Pimentel et al, 2020).…”