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

Abstract

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COVID-19 and Central Nervous System Hypersomnias

“…A French online study conducted by Nigam et al with 225 participants with narcolepsy [types 1, NT1, and 2, NT2] and idiopathic hypersomnia (IH) asked the participants about their sleep habits. Delayed bedtimes and wake times and increased sleep duration during the night were found [ 45 ]. Insomnia (symptom) was reported in more than half of the sample during the lockdown, with participants with NT1 being more likely to report insomnia, followed by NT2 and IH.…”

“…Almost one third of the participants reported more minor complaints of fatigue, reduced sleep attacks, and better concentration, despite decreased stimulant usage. Interestingly, most of the participants liked the lockdown, and their sleep benefited from it, being 1 h longer during the lockdown [ 45 ]. Participants with IH were more likely to delay bedtime and wake-up than those with NT1 and NT2.…”

Teleworking during a pandemic: perspective of an idiopathic hypersomnia patient

“…To summarize, I would like to thank Nigam and colleagues 5 for their work and inclusion of IH patients. Hopefully, with additional research, employers may offer a degree of respite for those with idiopathic hypersomnia.…”

“…Generally, the outcomes of narcolepsy studies in this context are largely extrapolated to the IH population. Therefore, as a remote worker with an idiopathic hypersomnia (IH) diagnosis, I read the recent work "Sleeping through a pandemic: impact of COVID-19-related restrictions on narcolepsy and idiopathic hypersomnia" by Nigam and colleagues 5 with great interest.…”

“…Decomposing the outcomes of IH patients, the data presented by Nigam and colleagues 5 indicates that approximately a third of those with idiopathic hypersomnia reported reduced fatigue and improved concentration. This may be explained by the emergence of a more natural alignment of the circadian rhythm and the additional sleep obtained.…”