Predictors of Sleep-Wake Disturbances in Breast Cancer Survivors Compared to Women Without Breast Cancer

Abstract

Current evidence shows that sleep-wake disturbances are a persistent problem in women surviving breast cancer. The purpose of this study was to refine the knowledge regarding the incidence, prevalence, and predictive factors of sleep-wake disturbances in breast cancer survivors (BCS) compared to age-matched women without breast cancer (WWBC).

The cross-sectional, convenience-sample consisted of secondary data from BCS and WWBC who were recruited by two parent quality of life studies. Subjects were matched within +/- 5 years of age.

The sample consisted of 246 BCS and 246 WWBC who were a mean age of 48 years old (SD=8.50), Caucasian (70%), employed (69%), married or partnered (76%), postmenopausal (59%), with a college education (56%), and with at least one concurrent medical problem (95%).

Results showed that BCS had more prevalent sleep-wake disturbances (65%) compared to WWBC (55%). The poorest sleepers were BCS, women with hot flashes, poor physical functioning, depressive symptoms, or with moderate or high levels of distress related to a life event. BCS had higher PSQI scores indicating poorer sleep quality and higher sleep disturbances compared to WWBC. Predictors of the severity of poor sleep quality and sleep disturbances were BCS, women with higher number of co-morbidities, women with hot flashes, lower levels of physical functioning, higher depressive symptoms, and greater impact of a life event. Disease and treatment related factors did not predict poor sleep or sleep quality in BCS.

Sleep disturbances are a problem in long-term BCS. Knowledge of contributing factors provides useful information during clinical evaluations and treatment of BCS reporting poor sleep. Additional research is needed to determine the impact of poor sleep on quality of life and develop/test effective interventions for long-term BCS.