Analysis of sleep characteristics and clinical outcomes of 139 adult patients with infective endocarditis after surgery

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the postoperative sleep quality of infective endocarditis patients during hospitalization and after discharge. AIM: To investigate the sleep characteristics of infective endocarditis patients and to identify potential risk factors for disturbed sleep quality after surgery. METHODS: The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale were used to assess patient sleep quality. Logistic regression was used to explore the potential risk factors. RESULTS: The study population (n = 139) had an average age of 43.40 ± 14.56 years, and 67.6% were men (n = 94). Disturbed sleep quality was observed in 86 patients (61.9%) during hospitalization and remained in 46 patients (33.1%) at 6 mo after surgery. However, both PSQI and Epworth Sleepiness Scale scores showed significant improvements at 6 mo (P < 0.001 and P = 0.001, respectively). Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that the potential risk factors were age (odds ratio = 1.125, 95% confidence interval: 1.068-1.186) and PSQI assessed during hospitalization (odds ratio = 1.759, 95% confidence interval: 1.436-2.155). The same analysis in patients with PSQI ≥ 8 during hospitalization suggested that not using sleep medication (odds ratio = 15.893, 95% confidence interval: 2.385-105.889) may be another risk factor. CONCLUSION: The incidence of disturbed sleep after infective endocarditis surgery is high. However, the situation improves significantly over time. Age and early postoperative high PSQI score are risk factors for disturbed sleep quality at 6 mo after surgery.