Factors associated with poor sleep quality in women with cancer.

Thalyta Cristina Mansano-Schlosser,Maria Filomena Ceolim

doi:10.1590/1518-8345.1478.2858

Abstract

ABSTRACTObjectives: to analyze the factors associated with poor sleep quality, its characteristics and components in women with breast cancer prior to surgery for removing the tumor and throughout the follow-up.Method: longitudinal study in a teaching hospital, with a sample of 102 women. The following were used: a questionnaire for sociodemographic and clinical characterization, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index; the Beck Depression Inventory; and the Herth Hope Scale. Data collection covered from prior to the surgery for removal of the tumor (T0) to T1, on average 3.2 months; T2, on average 6.1 months; and T3, on average 12.4 months. Descriptive statistics and the Generalized Estimating Equations model were used.Results: depression and pain contributed to the increase in the score of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and hope, to the reduction of the score - independently - throughout follow-up. Sleep disturbances were the component with the highest score throughout follow-up.Conclusion: the presence of depression and pain, prior to the surgery, contributed to the increase in the global score of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, which indicates worse quality of sleep throughout follow-up; greater hope, in its turn, influenced the reduction of the score of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index.

Highlights

MethodsBreast cancer is a disease which constitutes a serious public health problem, due to its high incidence and prevalence, as it is the type of cancer which most affects women worldwide
Among the factors which negatively affect their quality of life, patients with breast cancer experience the presence of depression, anxiety, fatigue, pain and sleep disturbances – it being the case that these can contribute to an increase in mortality[2]
It is estimated that poor sleep quality is present in 85% of women with breast cancer, and that, in these women, it is shown to be associated with the presence of depression, low self-esteem, and pain[3]

Summary

Introduction

MethodsBreast cancer is a disease which constitutes a serious public health problem, due to its high incidence and prevalence, as it is the type of cancer which most affects women worldwide. Among the factors which negatively affect their quality of life, patients with breast cancer experience the presence of depression, anxiety, fatigue, pain and sleep disturbances – it being the case that these can contribute to an increase in mortality[2]. It is estimated that poor sleep quality is present in 85% of women with breast cancer, and that, in these women, it is shown to be associated with the presence of depression, low self-esteem, and pain[3]. The high prevalence of poor quality sleep is concerning, as it is frequently found in association with worsening of health – affecting the regulation of the immunological and inflammatory functions, in the same way that it may cause changes in cognition and memory, emotional instability, and increase in appetite[4]. The management of poor quality sleep is important in these women, and should be preceded by the identification of the factors associated with it, at different points of the diagnosis and treatment

Objectives

Results

Discussion

Conclusion