The context of COVID-19 affected the long-term sleep quality of older adults more than SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Introduction: Sleep problems are one of the most persistent symptoms of post-COVID syndrome in adults. However, most recent research on sleep quality has relied on the impact of the pandemic, with scarcely any data for older adults on the long-term consequences of COVID infection. This study aims to understand whether older individuals present persistently impaired sleep quality after COVID-19 infection and possible moderators for this outcome.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional analysis of a longitudinal cohort study with 70 elders with 6-month-previous SARS-CoV-2 infection and 153 controls. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used to assess sleep quality; Geriatric Depression Scale and Geriatric Anxiety Inventory for screening depression and anxiety. Demographics and comorbid conditions were collected.

Results: The mean age of participants was 66,97 ± 4,64 years. There were no statistical differences in depression and anxiety between groups. Poor sleep quality was found in 52,9% and 43,8% of the COVID and control groups (=.208). After controlling for multiple variables, all the following factors resulted in greater chances of poor sleep quality: female gender (OR, 2.12; =.027), memory complaints (OR, 2.49; =.074), insomnia (OR, 3.66; =.032), anxiety (OR, 5.46; <.001), depression (OR, 7.26; =.001), joint disease (OR, 1.80; =.050), glucose intolerance (OR, 2.20; =.045), psychoactive drugs (OR, 8.36; <.001), diuretics (OR, 2.46; =.034), and polypharmacy (OR, 2.84; =.016).

Conclusion: Psychosocial burden in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and pre-existing conditions seems to influence the sleep quality of older adults more than SARS-CoV-2 infection.