Sleep problems, depression and anxiety in patients with post COVID-19 infection: an Egyptian study

Abstract Background COVID-19 has become a worldwide health emergency, impacting millions of people across the globe. Beyond the initial illness, it has led to the development of post-COVID syndrome, marked by neuropsychiatric symptoms like anxiety, depression, and sleep disorders, significantly diminishing the quality of life for many. The study’s objectives were to assess the frequency of these symptoms in individuals evaluated at least four weeks after recovery from acute COVID-19 infection and investigate how they related to sociodemographic characteristics and the intensity of the original infection. Thirty-eight healthcare workers (physicians and nurses) who had recovered from COVID-19 and 38 healthcare worker controls with no history of infection were included in this descriptive, cross-sectional case-control study. A thorough assessment of sleep problems was conducted using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders (SCID-I) was administered to assess current psychiatric diagnoses, including anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD). The following SCID-I modules were administered: Mood Disorders module, Anxiety Disorders module (including panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and phobias), PTSD module, and OCD module The Brief Severity Scoring Criteria were used to assess the severity of the COVID-19 infection. Results In comparison to controls (7.9% and 5.3%, respectively), post-COVID-19 patients had significantly greater median scores on the HADS and higher rates of anxiety (76.3%) and depression (68.4%). SCID-I assessments revealed increased prevalence of depression (60.52%), generalized anxiety disorder (52.6%), PTSD (26.3%), and OCD (18.4%) in post-COVID-19 patients. These patients also had poorer sleep quality as shown PSQI results. Higher levels of anxiety and sadness, feminine gender, and advanced age were important characteristics associated with sleep issues. Conclusion Compared to the control group, those in recovery from COVID-19 have significantly higher levels of anxiety, sadness, and sleep problems. These results illustrate the severe psychosocial and sleep-related difficulties that COVID-19 patients face, underscoring the pressing need for targeted and efficient therapies.