Poor sleep quality may trigger cognitive deficits after recovery from COVID-19, 2024, Carnes-Vendrell et al.

[SNT Gatchaman]

Poor sleep quality may trigger cognitive deficits after recovery from COVID-19

Spoiler: Many authors

Carnes-Vendrell, A.; Piñol-Ripoll, G.; Ariza, M.; Cano, N.; Segura, B.; Junque, C.; Béjar, J.; Barrue, C.; Garolera, M.; , Nautilus Project Collaborative Group; Arauzo, Vanesa; Bernia, Jose A.; Balague-Marmaña, Marta; Valles-Pauls, Berta; Caballero, Jesús; Gonzalez-Aguado, Ester; Tayó-Juli, Carme; Forcadell-Ferreres, Eva; Reverte-Vilarroya, Silvia; Forné, Susanna; Bartes-Plans, Anna; Muñoz-Padros, Jordina; Muñoz-Moreno, Jose A.; Prats-Paris, Anna; Rico, Inmaculada; Sabé, Nuria; Almeria, Marta; Casas, Laura; Ciudad, Maria José; Ferré, Anna; Garzon, Tamar; Lozano, Manuela; Cullell, Marta; Vega, Sonia; Alsina, Sílvia; Maldonado-Belmonte, Maria J.; Vazquez-Rivera, Susana; Baillès, Eva; Navarro, Sandra; Hernández, Ayoze González; Molina, Yaiza; Olive, Victoria; Cañizares, Silvia

OBJECTIVES
In the present study, we aimed to assess the cognition of postCOVID-19 condition (PCC) participants in relation to their subjective sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, PSQI) and to analyse possible moderators of this effect, such as quality of life (European Quality of Life-5 Dimensions, EQ5D), fatigue (Chadler Fatigue Questionnaire, CFQ), cognitive reserve (Cognitive Reserve Questionnaire, CRC), and subjective cognitive complaints (Memory Failures of Everyday Questionnaire, MFE-30).

METHODS
We included 373 individuals with PCC and 126 healthy controls (HCs) from the NAUTILUS Project (NCT05307549 and NCT05307575) who were assessed with a comprehensive neuropsychological battery and various questionnaires.

RESULTS
We found that PCC participants with poor sleep quality had a 4.3% greater risk of immediate verbal memory deficits than those with good sleep quality, as indicated by the greater odds ratio (OR) of 1.043 and confidence interval (CI) of 1.023–1.063. Additionally, their risk of immediate verbal memory disorders was multiplied by 2.4 when their EQ-5D score was low (OR 0.33; CI 0.145–0.748), and they had a lower risk of delayed visual memory deficits with a greater CRC (OR 0.963; CI 0.929–0.999). With respect to processing speed, PCC participants with poor sleep quality had a 6.7% greater risk of deficits as the MFE increased (OR 1.059; CI 1.024–1.096), and the risk of slowed processing speed tripled with a lower EQ-5D (OR 0.021; CI 0.003–0.141).

CONCLUSIONS
These results indicate that poor subjective sleep quality is a potential trigger for cognitive deficits. Therapeutic strategies to maximize sleep quality could include reducing sleep disturbances and perhaps cognitive impairment in PCC individuals.

Link | PDF (Frontiers in Psychology) [Open Access]

 

[SNT Gatchaman]

We included only subjective measures of sleep and did not collect information about previous sleep disturbances prior to COVID-19 infection. Instead, we collected information on cognitive performance from an extensive neuropsychological assessment, which enabled us to detect minimal cognitive deficits compared to screening tools. In addition, we have the limitations inherent to a cross-sectional study, such as the impossibility of making causal predictions (cause-effect) and selection bias (as it is a study with consecutive recruitment).

In conclusion, our results showed that poor subjective sleep quality is a potential trigger for cognitive deficits. Verbal and visual memory and processing speed were influenced by poor quality of sleep in PCC participants. Quality of life, cognitive reserve and subjective cognitive complaints appeared to be moderator variables. Therefore, implementing therapeutic strategies to maximize sleep quality could reduce sleep disturbances and perhaps reduce cognitive impairment in PCC participants.

 

[Amw66]

I would have thought that this holds for many conditions , if not generally.
When my sleep is affected my cognitive abilities tank ( and I don't have ME).

 

[Trish]

It seems pointless to do such detailed cognitive testing but to rely on self reports for sleep quality.

 

[Mij]

Optimizing sleep quality and pain syndromes was the only treatment my M.E doctor offered over 30yrs ago. He prescribed whatever it took to achieve optimal quality of sleep. No testing required.