Summary of Increased Long COVID Risk in Adults With Obstructive Sleep Apnea:
A new study funded by the National Institutes of Health (N.I.H.) has found that adults with obstructive sleep apnea have up to a 75% higher risk of developing long COVID than those without the sleep disorder. The study, which analyzed data from over 2.2 million COVID-19 patients, suggests that adults with both sleep disorder and COVID may benefit from clinical monitoring. While the association between obstructive sleep apnea and long COVID remains significant even after controlling for various factors, the reasons for this link are still unclear. The findings may help doctors identify patients at a higher risk of developing long COVID after a COVID-19 infection. People with obstructive sleep apnea are advised to keep up with their vaccinations to minimize the risk of infection.
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Adults with Sleep Apnea and COVID-19 Have a Higher Risk of Developing Long COVID
According to a recent study funded by the National Institutes of Health (N.I.H.), adults with obstructive sleep apnea who contracted COVID-19 have a higher risk of developing long COVID than those without sleep disorder. The study used data from over 2.2 million COVID-19 patients, showing that sleep apnea patients have up to a 75% higher chance of experiencing long COVID, with the risk being greater among women.
A Potential Benefit of Clinical Monitoring for Sleep Apnea Patients with COVID-19
The findings may suggest that adults with obstructive sleep apnea and COVID-19 may benefit from clinical monitoring. The data for this analysis came from three NIH-backed research networks: the National COVID Cohort Collaborative (N3C), which included 1.7 million adults; PCORnet®, which included 330,000 adults; and PEDSnet, a pediatric-focused research network participating in PCORnet, which included 102,000 children. All participants included in this analysis had tested positive for COVID-19 between March 2020 and February 2022.
Controlling for Factors that Increase Risks of Long COVID
After controlling for similarities among patients, including COVID-19 severity, age, sex, race and ethnicity, and underlying medical conditions, researchers found adults with obstructive sleep apnea were 75% more likely to experience long COVID in the N3C study. In comparison, the increased odds of having long COVID was 12% in PCORnet. No significant links between sleep apnea and long COVID in children were found after researchers controlled for other medical conditions, including obesity.
Risk Factors for Sleep Apnea That are Also Risk Factors for COVID-19
“Part of the challenge is that many of the risk factors for sleep apnea are also risk factors for COVID-19 outcomes,” said Lorna E. Thorpe, Ph.D., M.P.H. “We don’t know entirely why we are seeing this association.” The researchers also found women in the N3C study had an 89% increased likelihood of having long COVID if they had obstructive sleep apnea, compared to a 59% increased chance for men. The underlying associations aren’t clear. However, women diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea included in this study may have had more severe conditions than men.
What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the upper airway becomes blocked during sleep, interrupting breathing. The condition affects about 1 in 8 adults but is often underdiagnosed. The study suggests that people with obstructive sleep apnea should keep up with their vaccinations to minimize the risk of infection.
Conclusion
The study’s findings may inform clinical care by identifying patients who may benefit from closer monitoring. This research may also strengthen our understanding of why some people are more likely to develop long COVID after acute infection. For more on this research, see the study linked in the reference.