SVOA Neurology

Aim: The COVID-19 pandemic in Uruguay prompted Public Health authorities’ recommendation for voluntary confinement at home beginning in March 2020. Sleep disorders tend to worsen in populations affected by acute stress due to catastrophic events.

Study Objective: To assess changes in sleeping habits and sleep disorders in the first two months of voluntary confinement during COVID-19 pandemic in Uruguay.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional study of subjects above the age of 6 who were in confinement. They completed an online survey distributed throughout a web-based platform. Sleep schedules, napping, sleep quality and presence of sleep disorders (insomnia, parasomnias, snoring and movement disorders) were reported. We statistically compared the sleep data of this population, both prior and during the COVID 19’s pandemic confinement.

Results: 1009 people were evaluated, 75% were women and 25% were men. Mean age was 41 years (6 - 83 years). During confinement, the subject’s bedtime was delayed by 1 hour and 20 minutes, and people got up later in the mornings. Total sleep time was prolonged 20 minutes, but the reported sleep quality worsened significantly. Most adults reported taking naps during confinement. Sleep disorders such as Insomnia and nightmares increased significantly (p≤0.005). 12% of adults who denied consuming medication before the lockdown, referred the need of hypnotics and anxiolytics in order to have a restful sleep.

Conclusions: We confirmed changes in sleep habits, significant deterioration in sleep quality, an increase in, insomnia, parasomnias and in the number of daily naps, as well as increased use of hypnotics and anxiolytics as a consequence of stress and confinement during the first months of COVID 19 pandemic in Uruguay.

Keywords: Sleep, Insomnia, Parasomnia, COVID 19, Pandemic, Confinement, Uruguay

Citation: Cecilia O, Marcela L, Alicia V, Lucí a D. “Sleep Disorders in Uruguay during the COVID-19 Pandemic”. SVOA Neurology 2:4 (2021) Pages 109-116