Evaluation of sleep disturbance in cancer patients: A cross-sectional study

BackgroundSleep disturbance (SD) is one of the most common and troubling symptoms that harm the quality of life throughout all phases of treatment and stages of the illness among Cancer patients. The aim of this study is to conduct a cross –sectional study to examine the present status of SD prevalence in patients with cancer and to identify possible increminated factors.MethodsPatients (n=56) who where undergoing chemotherapy (Oral or intravenous) and had been diagnosed with cancer since at least 6 months were interviewed. Study questionnaire included items concerning demographic characteristics, stage of cancer. Sleep disturbance was evaluated through Insomnia Severity index (ISI). The ISI has seven questions. The seven answers are added up to get a total score.ResultsMedian age was 52.45 years old, 46% were male cancer patients. Cancer stage was III or IV for 45 % of patients. Most of the patients were without comorbidity (77.9%), BMI ≥ 20 kg/m2 (74.5%), and non-metastasis tumor (66.4%). The median score was seventy (range: 0–17). Sever insomnia (SI) (score between 22-28) was observed in 35% of patients. Fourty five per cent (45%) of patients reported a moderate clinical insomnia (MI) (score between 15-22). SI was reported in 66% of female patients. Seventy-Six (76 %) of patients aged more than 50 Years old reported SI or MI. Patients with BMI <20 kg/m2 (P = 0.024) and non-surgery (P = 0.015) were more likely to suffer from sleep disturbance. However, there were no differences in marital status, education level, comorbidity and cancer type. Multivariate logistic regression models showed that BMI < 20 kg/m2 [(OR) 0.489, 95% (CI) 0.329–0.948, P = 0.029] and non-surgery surgery (OR 0.608, 95% CI 0.358–0.896, P = 0.048) were significant favorable predictors for sleep disturbance. However, age (P = 0.39), gender (P = 0.095), comorbidity (P = 0.342), metastasis status (P = 0.658), and cancer type (P = 0.77) were not associated with SD.ConclusionsSleep disturbances in cancer patients are common and are often multifactorial, and likely are comorbid with cancer. BMI< 20, non-surgery exacerbates sleep problems. However, the factors associated with SD in cancer patients remain unclear. Assessment of sleep disorders is mandatory in this population for the obvious interference with quality of life.Legal entity responsible for the studyA. Haddoui.FundingHas not received any funding.DisclosureAll authors have declared no conflicts of interest.