A comprehensive retrospective cohort study has established a direct link between SARS-CoV-2 infection and a significantly increased risk of developing new-onset obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS). The analysis, examining electronic health records from over 910,000 adults tested between March 2020 and August 2024, demonstrates risk persists years after initial infection.
Researchers found the elevated OSAS risk applied to both hospitalized and non-hospitalized patients. Compared to COVID-negative controls, the risk was substantial, a trend further validated by a sensitivity analysis using a historical pre-pandemic cohort of over 621,000 individuals.
Subgroup analyses pinpointed heightened vulnerabilities. Among hospitalized patients, the connection was strongest for those under 60 years old, Black individuals, and patients with asthma. In non-hospitalized cases, females, Hispanic individuals, and those with major comorbidities showed stronger associations. Notably, vaccination status did not substantially alter the risk profile.
The research also tracked grim cardiovascular outcomes following an OSAS diagnosis. Patients previously hospitalized with COVID-19 faced a drastically higher risk of heart failure and pulmonary hypertension compared to uninfected individuals. Non-hospitalized patients with prior COVID-19 showed an increased risk of obesity after developing sleep apnea.
These findings signal an independent link between the virus and lasting sleep disorder, leading researchers to urge targeted screening strategies for post-COVID populations, specifically for groups identified as at-risk.