The association between sleep problems and general quality of life in cancer patients and in the general population

Abstract

ObjectiveIt is well-known that patients with cancer frequently experience sleep problems, and that sleep quality is associated with general quality of life (QoL). The aims of this study were to analyze the relationship between sleep problems and other components of QoL in more detail and to investigate sex and age differences in sleep quality in cancer patients in comparison with the general population.MethodThis study comprised one general population sample (n = 4,476) and eight samples with cancer patients (n between 323 and 4,020). Sleep Quality was measured using the QoL questionnaire EORTC QLQ-C30.ResultsAll of the cancer patient groups reported more sleep problems than the general population. Sleep problems were associated with all facets of QoL both in cancer patients and in the general population. The highest associations were found in cancer patients for fatigue (r = 0.52) and emotional functioning (r = −0.47). The association between sleep quality and general QoL was lower in the cancer samples (r = −0.37) than in the general population (r = −0.46). Female cancer patients reported markedly more sleep problems than male patients did (d = 0.45), while this sex difference was lower in the general population (d = 0.15). In contrast to the general population, younger cancer patients had greater trouble sleeping than older patients did (d = −0.17).ConclusionThe results underline the significance of the role mental factors play in sleep problems. Health care providers should pay special attention to female patients and younger patients concerning this issue.

Poor Sleep Quality and Its Influencing Factors Among Iranian Patients with Esophageal and Gastric Cancer

“…In accordance with the other studies, our results showed that educational levels, BMI, physical activity level, family local residency, ethnicity, current smoking status, current opioid use, and alcohol consumption are not associated with sleep quality. 35 , 49 , 50 There is no consensus regarding the association of age with sleep among patients with cancer; while some studies show an association with sleep distribution, 51 - 57 the Ratcliff’s study did not find the same association. 49 …”

Content Comparison of Quality-of-Life Instruments Used in Economic Evaluations of Sleep Disorder Interventions: A Systematic Review

“…Reimer and Flemons argue for using broad-based instruments in study cohorts to cover concepts that include physical, mental, and social function, the burden of symptoms and an overall sense of well-being [133]. Instruments with broader coverage of QoL concepts have also been recommended in the sleep literature, given that sleep and circadian factors are strongly correlated with broad concepts of daily mental and physical performance and well-being [36][37][38][39]. Our review has shown that nearly 45% of economic evaluations of sleep disorder interventions have a mix of generic and sleep-specific instruments, perhaps in recognition that neither type of instrument may be sufficiently comprehensive to cover the breadth of potential sleep-related QoL constructs.…”

“…Instruments such as the ESS and ISI are also predominantly used as diagnostic tools and not strictly QoL instruments. Further, sleep (and circadian) factors strongly influence many aspects of daily mental and physical performance and wellbeing, thus broad QoL impacts from sleep disorders should be anticipated [36][37][38][39][40][41]. Hence, it is vital to establish an appropriately sensitive, specific, reproducible, and standardised approach to measure QoL as an outcome of treatment that can be applied widely within the economic evaluation framework.…”

Sleep disorders, sleep quality, and health-related quality of life in patients with cancer in Turkey: a multi-center cross-sectional survey

“…Linear regression analysis identified poor sleep quality as a primary factor for the decline in physical and mental health QoL. A recent study [29] found a significant negative correlation between sleep disturbances and all QoL domains, with psychological aspects more affected than physical health. Prior studies have linked sleep disorders with reduced QoL, depression [30], concentration difficulties [31], fatigue, and lower survival rates [12].…”