A study funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) indicates that adults with obstructive sleep apnea face a significantly higher risk—up to 75%—of developing long COVID compared to those without the disorder. Analyzing over 2.2 million COVID-19 patients, the research revealed that sleep apnea patients are at increased risk for long-term symptoms related to long COVID, with women showing higher susceptibility than men. Despite controlling for various factors, the association remained significant, leaving the exact reasons unclear. The findings, published in the journal SLEEP, suggest that individuals with sleep apnea may benefit from close clinical monitoring post-infection. The study used electronic health records (EHR) data to assess patients’ conditions, identifying that about 5-17% of adults suspected developed long COVID following their infection. Notably, women with sleep apnea exhibited an 89% increased likelihood of long COVID, compared to a 59% increased risk for men, although underlying factors still need to be better understood. The NIH RECOVER Initiative, a $1.15 billion effort, aims to explore the long-term effects of COVID-19 and better identify at-risk populations for complications like long COVID. Vaccination is recommended to minimize infection risks for those with obstructive sleep apnea.
