Do Diet, Oral Hygiene, and Sleep Habits Correlate with Severe COVID-19?

Because of the impact of lifestyle on health, we assessed the correlation of diet, oral hygiene, and sleep habits with the severity of COVID-19 among patients in a referral hospital in Iran.

In this case-control study, 582 participants (289 cases and 293 controls) were included. The case group consisted of patients diagnosed with COVID-19 infection, who were admitted to intensive care unit or died during hospitalization. The control group consisted of patients diagnosed with COVID-19 infection who were admitted to other wards or did not have serious problems and subsequently discharged in relatively good condition. Independent variables were lifestyle information, including habits and diet, oral and dental hygiene, sleep habits.

Adequate consumption of salt and white meat have been identified protective factor for severe COVID-19 infection (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] =0.52, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.34-0.78) (AOR = 0.34, 95% CI: 0.17-0.69), respectively. The findings indicated that brushing teeth after dinner was decreased the chance of contracting the severe COVID-19 infection (AOR = 0.62, 95% CI: 0.40-0.96). However, had dentures was linked to an increased risk of infection (AOR = 1.77, 95% CI: 1.16-2.70). The pain during sleep, feeling cold during sleep were associated with an elevated chance of severe infection (AOR = 2.09, 95% CI: 1.24-3.53) and (AOR = 1.85, 95% CI: 1.09-3.39), respectively. Also, the individuals who slept longer periods during the day exhibited a heightened probability of developing the severe form of COVID-19 (AOR = 1.21, 95% CI: 1.08-1.36). Furthermore, persistent, or intermittent cough increased the odds of the severe disease (AOR = 1.65, 95% CI: 1.01-2.69) (AOR = 4.45, 95% CI: 1.88-10.52).

Our findings showed significant associations between the severity of COVID-19 infection and some aspects of lifestyle. Attention to these habits may change the course of such infections with minimum costs.