Sleeping through a pandemic: impact of COVID-19-related restrictions on narcolepsy and idiopathic hypersomnia

• Published in: Journal of clinical sleep medicine 2022-01, Vol.18 (1), p.255-263
• Main Authors: Nigam, Milan, Hippolyte, Amandine, Dodet, Pauline, Gales, Ana, Maranci, Jean-Baptiste, Al-Youssef, Saba, Leu-Semenescu, Smaranda, Arnulf, Isabelle
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Communicable Disease Control; COVID-19; Disorders of Excessive Somnolence - epidemiology; Humans; Idiopathic Hypersomnia - complications; Idiopathic Hypersomnia - drug therapy; Idiopathic Hypersomnia - epidemiology; Narcolepsy - drug therapy; Narcolepsy - epidemiology; Pandemics; SARS-CoV-2; Scientific Investigations; Sleep
• ISSN: 1550-9389; 1550-9397
• DOI: 10.5664/jcsm.9556

To assess the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related restrictions on narcolepsy type 1 (NT2), narcolepsy type 2 (NT2), and idiopathic hypersomnia (IH). Participants with NT1, NT2, and IH followed in a university hospital completed an online 78-question survey assessing demographic, clinical, and occupational features of the population during the first COVID-19-related lockdown. A total of 219 of 851 (25.7%) respondents of the survey reported a mean increase of 1.2 ± 1.9 hours ( < .001) in night sleep time and a mean decrease of 1.0 ± 3.4 points ( < .001) on the Epworth Sleepiness Scale during lockdown. Bedtime was delayed by 46.1% of participants and wakeup time was delayed by 59.6%, driven primarily by participants with IH. Teleworkers (but not in-person workers) reported a mean increase of 0.9 ± 1.2 hours in night sleep ( < .001) and a mean decrease in sleepiness score of 1.6 ± 3.1 ( < .001). Cataplexy improved in 54.1% of participants with NT1. Sleepiness correlated with psychological wellness ( = .3, < .001). As many as 42.5% enjoyed the lockdown, thanks to reallocation of time usually spent commuting toward longer sleep time, hobbies, and family time, and appreciated a freer napping schedule. Conversely, 13.2% disliked the lockdown, feeling isolation and psychological distress. Extended sleep time, circadian delay (in patients with IH), and teleworking resulted in decreased symptoms of central hypersomnias. These findings suggest that people with IH, NT1, and NT2 may benefit from a decrease in social and professional constraints on sleep-wake habits, and support advocacy efforts aimed at facilitating workplace and schedule accommodations for this population. Nigam M, Hippolyte A, Dodet P, et al. Sleeping through a pandemic: impact of COVID-19-related restrictions on narcolepsy and idiopathic hypersomnia. . 2022;18(1):255-263.