Sleep patterns and potential risk factors for disturbed sleep quality in patients after surgery for infective endocarditis

BACKGROUND: The current study aimed to investigate the sleep quality of patients after valve replacement surgery due to infective endocarditis and identify risk factors for disturbed sleep post hospitalisation. METHODS: Eighty patients were assessed postoperatively using subjective scale measures, the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) and the Epworth sleepiness scale, and an objective measure, actigraphy. Scale measures were assessed approximately 2 weeks and 6 months after surgery. Actigraphy monitoring was performed for 2 consecutive weeks during hospitalisation. Logistic regression was used to identify risk factors for disturbed sleep. RESULTS: The study population (n = 80) had an average age of 42.8 ± 14.2 years, and 67.5% were male. The median sleep efficiency was 85.3% in week 1 and 86.8% in week 2. The frequency of awakenings was significantly higher in week 1 (20.0 times vs. 19.3 times, p = 0.017). The scale measures showed significant improvement in sleep by 6 months after surgery compared to that during hospitalisation. Multivariable logistic regression analysis suggested that the possible risk factors for disturbed sleep 6 months after surgery included age (OR = 1.479, 95%CI 1.140–1.920) and a few parameters of early postoperative disturbed sleep quality (PSQI: OR = 2.921, 95%CI 1.431–5.963; sleep efficiency: OR = 0.402, 95%CI 0.206–0.783; and average duration of awakenings: OR = 0.006, 95%CI 0.000–0.827). CONCLUSIONS: Disturbed sleep quality was witnessed in postoperative patients during hospitalisation and up to 6 months after surgery. Over time, the patients’ sleep quality improved significantly. Age and a few early postoperative sleep quality variables were risk factors for disturbed sleep 6 months after surgery. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13019-022-01828-4.