Hypersomnolence disorder in post-acute COVID-19 syndrome

Between 10 and 30% of adults present multidimensional and disabling symptoms that persist weeks to years after a SARS-CoV-2 infection, a condition referred to as post-acute COVID-19 syndrome. Fatigue, muscle weakness, and sleep disturbances are the most frequent symptoms. Among these patients, a subgroup reports abnormally long sleep duration, difficulties waking up in the morning, and excessive daytime sleepiness. Yet, we don't know if these patients have a central hypersomnolence disorder secondary to their Covid-19 disease and whether they have objective markers of hypersomnolence when tested in the laboratory. In the proposed project, we will verify whether patients with post-acute COVID-19 syndrome and hypersomnolence complaints have objective markers of hypersomnia when tested with standardized protocols. We will determine whether hypersomnolence symptoms are explained by abnormal sleep or obstructive sleep apnea. We will verify whether hypersomnolence symptoms are associated with a particular immune and inflammatory profile when compared to patients with post-acute COVID-19 syndrome but without hypersomnia, and healthy control subjects. We will also follow these patients over a period of 12 months to document symptoms evolution. This project could have significant clinical impacts, as medical clinics receive a growing number of referrals for patients with post-acute COVID-19 syndrome complaining of disabling sleepiness and abnormally long sleep duration. This project has the potential to reduce the post-acute COVID-19 syndrome burden as sleep disorders probably contribute to worsening of fatigue, psychological distress and cognitive dysfunction. Sleep could therefore be a target for treatment.