205 - Sleep, fatigue, and pain in Long Covid: a one-year follow up study from India

Objectives: To evaluate trends of sleep quality, fatigue, and pain over a period of 1 year in individuals with Long Covid

Design: Prospective cohort study. 52 adult individuals with Long Covid were assessed using Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Fatigue Severity Score (FSS) and Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) at the time of diagnosis (0 months or baseline), after 6 months and after 1 year over telephonic consultations by a single physiatrist from the telerehabilitation team.

Results: Medians of each component score of the PSQI (Subjective Sleep Quality, Sleep Latency, Sleep duration, Habitual Sleep Efficiency, Sleep Disturbances, Uses of Sleep Medications, Daytime Dysfunction) and Global PSQI score as well as FSS and NPRS scores showed significant (p < .005) improvement when compared pair wise (baseline vs 6 months, 6 months vs 1year, and baseline vs 1 year) using Wilcoxon Signed-Rank Test. Intragroup analysis of those with past Mild, Moderate, and Severe Covid infection showed significant improvement in most PSQI parameters, FSS and NPRS scores in mild and moderate Covid, but not in severe Covid. Intragroup analysis among young adults (18-26 years), adults (27-44 years), middle aged (45-65 years) and elderly ( >65 years) showed significant improvements in most PSQI parameters, FSS and NPRS in the latter three groups. Global PSQI and Sleep Latency scores show significant correlation with FSS and NPRS at baseline, 6months and 1 year.

Conclusions: Sleep quality and Fatigue significantly improves with time in Long Covid patients when followed up for a year. Fatigue correlates significantly with sleep quality. Prior Severe Covid infection is associated with persistent impaired sleep and fatigue after one year, while there is steady improvement in those with mild and moderate Covid.