Link Between Sleep Apnea and COVID-19 Risk

Overview of Sleep Apnea

In the United States, over 18 million individuals are affected by sleep apnea, a disorder characterized by interrupted breathing during sleep. This condition can result in inadequate sleep quality and is associated with various health issues, including obesity, heart disease, hypertension, and teeth grinding.

Investigating Risk Factors for Severe COVID-19

Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare professionals have been identifying risk factors that contribute to severe cases of the virus. One area of investigation has been the potential connection between sleep apnea and heightened COVID-19 risk.

Study Conducted by Turku University Hospital

Researchers from Turku University Hospital and the University of Turku undertook a study to explore the possible relationship between sleep apnea and the risk of contracting severe COVID-19. Their findings were published in the journal Sleep Medicine and Disorders: International Journal.

The study focused on Finnish patients at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. By early May 2020, Finland had reported only 263 COVID-19 cases, with 28 patients being admitted to Turku University Hospital.

Data Collection and Analysis

In April 2020, the research team began to compile health-related data for COVID-19 patients at the hospital. This data included various metrics such as weight, height, smoking history, blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen saturation, and pre-existing conditions like diabetes, sleep apnea, hypertension, and COPD.

Patients hospitalized for COVID-19 had an average stay of 9.5 days. Of the 28 admitted, 25% required treatment in the ICU, where the average stay was 19 days. Ultimately, 15 patients were sent home, nine were discharged to a health center, and three patients died during or shortly after their hospital stay.

Findings and Correlations

Many findings from this study aligned with global research on COVID-19. Notably, the investigation revealed that 29 of the hospitalized patients had a pre-existing diagnosis of sleep apnea, a stark contrast to the 3.1% prevalence of sleep apnea in the general Finnish population.

Researchers identified two significant risk factors associated with sleep apnea that could exacerbate COVID-19 severity: low blood oxygen levels and chronic inflammation. The theory suggests that hypoxemia, or low oxygen levels in the blood, may worsen during a COVID-19 infection. Additionally, chronic inflammation could increase the risk of a cytokine storm, a serious complication linked to severe COVID-19 cases.

ICU Admission and C-Reactive Protein Levels

The study also found that patients admitted to the ICU exhibited elevated levels of C-reactive protein, a marker associated with inflammation. The data indicated that higher C-reactive protein levels correlated with compromised blood oxygen levels, suggesting an increased likelihood of ICU admission.

Conclusion and Future Research

While the study suggests a potential association between sleep apnea and the risk of severe COVID-19, the authors noted that the small sample size warrants further investigation to validate these findings.

Author and References

Written by: Rebecca K. Blankenship B.Sc.

References:
Feuth T, Saaresranta T, Karlsson A, et al. Is sleep apnea a risk factor for Covid-19? Findings from a retrospective cohort study. Sleep Medicine and Disorders: International Journal. 2020;4(3). doi:10.15406/smdij.2020.04.00075

Obstructive Sleep Apnea Diagnosis. Sleep Foundation. https://www.sleepfoundation.org/sleep-apnea/obstructive-sleep-apnea/diagnosis. Published September 25, 2020.

Image by mattthewafflecat from Pixabay.