Psychiatric and neurological aspects of sleep disturbance after coronavirus infection (COVID-19)

Abstract

There are both scientific interest and practical value to study the medical consequences of the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) due to its pandemic status and high prevalence of different complaints among COVID-19 survivors. These complaints are called “post-COVID” or “long COVID” syndrome. One of the frequent symptoms of post-COVID syndrome is sleep disturbances, predominantly insomnia. The article provides epidemiological data, pathogenesis, socioeconomic factors, and therapeutic approach to insomnia associated with post-COVID syndrome.The increase of sleep disturbances prevalence in pandemic conditions has a comprehensive nature. It includes the disease consequences itself and change of lifestyle due to lockdown. The lifestyle change leads to physical activity decrease and inadequate sleep hygiene. Besides, the high stress level is also the reason for sleep disturbances. The direct effects of COVID-19 on the central nervous system are understudied at the moment. Nevertheless, there are reasons to suggest neurotropic characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 to underlie post-COVID neurological and psychiatric disturbances.Taking into account that general practitioners are mainly addressed post-COVID complaints, the recommended hypnotics should be safe, easily prescribed, and highly effective. The probable presence of the psychiatric pathology should be also assessed because the sleep complaints might be its manifestation.