Dynamic prevalence of sleep disturbance among critically ill patients in intensive care units and after hospitalisation: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Sleep disturbance is a common complaint among critically ill patients in intensive care units and after hospitalisation. However, the prevalence of sleep disturbance among critically ill patients varies widely. Objective: To estimate the prevalence of sleep disturbance among critically ill patients in the intensive care unit and after hospitalisation.Methods: Electronic databases were searched from their inception until 15 August 2022. Only observational studies with cross-sectional, prospective, and retrospective designs investigating sleep disturbance prevalence among critically ill adults (aged >= 18 years) during intensive care unit stay and after hospitalisation were included.Results: We found 13 studies investigating sleep disturbance prevalence in intensive care units and 14 investi-gating sleep disturbance prevalence after hospitalisation, with 1,228 and 3,065 participants, respectively. The prevalence of sleep disturbance during an ICU stay was 66 %, and at two, three, six and >= 12 months after hospitalisation was 64 %, 49 %, 40 %, and 28 %, respectively. Studies using the Richards-Campbell Sleep Questionnaire detected a higher prevalence of sleep disturbance among patients in intensive care units than non-intensive care unit specific questionnaires; studies reported comparable sleep disturbance prevalence during intensive care stays for patients with and without mechanical ventilation.Conclusion: Sleep disturbance is prevalent in critically ill patients admitted to an intensive care unit and persists for up to one year after hospitalisation, with prevalence ranging from 28 % to 66 %. The study results highlight the importance of implementing effective interventions as early as possible to improve intensive care unit sleep quality.