Prevalence, Severity, and Correlates of Sleep-Wake Disturbances in Long-Term Breast Cancer Survivors
Accepted 24 July 2009. published online 18 January 2010.
Abstract
Context
Current evidence shows that sleep-wake disturbances are a persistent problem linked to poor quality of life in women surviving breast cancer. Information regarding correlates of sleep-wake disturbances in long-term survivors is sparse.
Objectives
The objective of this study was to refine knowledge regarding prevalence, severity, and correlates of sleep-wake disturbances in long-term breast cancer survivors (BCS) compared with age-matched women without breast cancer (WWC).
Methods
The cross-sectional convenience sample included 246 BCS and 246 WWC who completed a quality-of-life study and were matched within ±5 years of age.
Results
BCS were a mean of 5.6 years beyond completion of cancer treatment (range = 5.6–10.0 years). Based on Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) scores, BCS had significantly more prevalent sleep-wake disturbances (65%) compared with WWC (55%) (P < 0.05). BCS also had significantly higher PSQI global scores indicating poorer sleep quality compared with WWC (P < 0.05). Significant correlates of prevalence of poor sleep for BCS included hot flashes, poor physical functioning, depressive symptoms, and distress, and for WWC, these included hot flashes, poor physical functioning, and depressive symptoms. Significant correlates (P < 0.05) of severity of poor sleep for BCS included presence of noncancer comorbidities, hot flashes, depressive symptoms, and residual effects of cancer treatment. For WWC, these included hot flashes, poor physical functioning, depressive symptoms, and impact of a life event.
Conclusion
Knowledge of prevalence, severity, and correlates of sleep-wake disturbances provides useful information to health care providers during clinical evaluations for treatment of sleep-wake disturbances in BCS.
aCenter for Nursing Research, Indiana University School of Nursing, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
bDepartment of Public Health , Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
Address correspondence to: Julie L. Otte, PhD, RN, Center for Nursing Research, Indiana University School of Nursing, 1111 Middle Drive, NU 338, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA.
Funding: National Cancer Institute grant R25 CA117865, National Institute of Nursing Research grant F31 NR009890, an American Cancer Society Predoctoral Fellowship DSCN 108142, an Oncology Nursing Foundation Predoctoral Scholarship, the Walther Cancer Institute Foundation, American Cancer Society Quality of Life Study grant RSGPB-04-089-01-PBP, and the Survey of Quality of Life in African American Women, National Cancer Institute grant R03 CA-097737.
ABSTRACT