Impacts of mental health in the sleep pattern of healthcare professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil

Background: After >2 years of the Coronavirus Disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic, it is well established how sleep symptoms are rising, especially among healthcare workers (HCW). The aim of this study is to evaluate what features are associated with sleep disturbances in the HCW population.Methods: Cross-sectional and longitudinal analysis of social and clinical variables associated with sleep problems and insomnia incidence in HCW in a large, national-level cohort. The measurement of sleep problems was assessed by self-report using Jenkins Sleep Scale (JSS). A multivariate analysis was used in the cross-sectional design and generalized linear models were used in the longitudinal design.Results: 10,467 HCW were analyzed in the cross-sectional analysis, 3313 participants were analyzed in the three timepoints of the study. Sex, previously diagnosed mental illness and frontline work with COVID-19 were associated with higher scores in JSS in the univariate analysis. In the multivariate analysis, only previous diagnosis of mental illness was related with sleep difficulties, especially previously diagnosed insomnia. The longitudinal analysis concluded that previous diagnosis of mental illnesses was associated with higher levels of insomnia development (OR = 11.62). The self-reported disorders found to be major risk factors were addiction (OR = 7.69), generalized anxiety disorder (OR = 3.67), social anxiety (OR = 2.21) and bipolar disorder (OR = 2.21).Limitations: Attrition bias.Conclusions: Previous diagnosis of mental illness was strongly related to insomnia development in HCW during the COVID-19 pandemic. Strategies that focus on this population are advised.

Automated summary

The study aimed to evaluate features associated with sleep disturbances in healthcare workers (HCW) during the COVID-19 pandemic. The results showed that sex, previously diagnosed mental illness, and frontline work with COVID-19 were associated with sleep problems. Furthermore, previous diagnosis of mental illness was strongly related to insomnia development. Strategies targeting sleep difficulties in HCWs are advised during the pandemic.