Sleep and Alcohol Use Among Veterans Living With Long COVID.

Bachrach RL, Tighe CA, Beyer N, Hruska K, Phares A, Atchison K, Baniak L, Haas G, Bramoweth AD. Sleep and Alcohol Use Among Veterans Living With Long COVID. Journal of primary care & community health. 2024 Jan 1; 15:21501319241246992.

Related HSR&D Project(s)

• CDA 20-057 – Implementation Intervention to Improve Care for Unhealthy Alcohol Use

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Abstract:

OBJECTIVES: Study objectives were to: (1) better understand sleep experiences and unhealthy alcohol use among Veterans with long COVID and (2) explore providers'' perceptions of barriers and facilitators to delivering evidence-based care for sleep problems and unhealthy alcohol use in patients with long COVID. METHODS: VA electronic health records were used to conduct chart reviews (n? = 57) of patients evaluated in a VA COVID-19 Recovery Clinic during 1 calendar year; semi-structured interviews were completed with Veterans (n? = 5) and clinicians (n? = 7) recruited from the clinic. Veteran participants also completed quantitative, self-report measures assessing sleep- and alcohol-related experiences and behaviors. RESULTS: Data from chart reviews and interviews suggested that Veterans with long COVID often had pre-existing sleep problems that were exacerbated during long COVID. Patients and providers agreed that sleep interventions would be beneficial and acceptable in the COVID-19 Recovery clinic. Conversely, few Veterans with long COVID had a pre-existing alcohol use disorder (AUD) diagnosis; alcohol use occurred less frequently and was less often discussed between patients and providers. Providers had mixed viewpoints on delivering alcohol-related care in the clinic; some were highly amenable, others were unsure whether patients would be receptive. CONCLUSIONS: This study is among the first to take a mixed-method approach to understanding experiences of sleep-wake behaviors and unhealthy alcohol use in Veterans with long COVID. Characterizing sleep and alcohol-related experiences, examining associations with functioning, and exploring perspectives on treatment approaches is critical to support efforts to refine, personalize, and optimize evidence-based sleep and alcohol care for Veterans living with long COVID.