JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Sleep disorders (SDs) are a common occurrence in the general population. Yet today it is clearly agreed that SDs Liath represent both a cancer risk factor and a biological consequence of the.

Objective:

The aim of this study is to assess the impact on quality of life, identify the type of disorder and its causes in order to offer an adapted and personalized care plan.

Methods:

In a survey completed during the COVID-19 lockdown, 2,000 hours of interviews were collected by remote consultations. During these calls, we administered a sleep questionnaire. This questionnaire was inspired by the STOP BANG questionnaire enquired about 6 items. The demographic details of each patient (age, sex), the nature of the pathology, their past treatments, the ongoing cancer treatment, the mood, whether or not the patient is anxious or depressed and the use of sleeping drug pills were analyzed. A univariate analysis was performed according to the presence or absence of fatigue. Chi-square test was applied to assess possible differences of variables link to sleep disturbance between patients complaining of fatigue with those without fatigue. The same test was then used to analyse patients on hormone therapy and those without for two types of cancer, breast cancer and prostate cancer

Results:

905 patients were included in this study. The average age was 66.7 with 67% women. 142 patients declared being overweight. Breast cancer was the most frequently cancer reported. Nocturnal awakening was reported by 70% of patients, fatigue by 50% of patients, difficulty getting to sleep by 38% of patients, snoring reported by an independent observer in 38% of patients and apnea reported by an independent observer in 9% of patients. The univariate analysis showed that the feeling of tiredness was significantly greater in patients reporting difficulty in getting to sleep (p<0.01), pain (p<0.001), frequent awakening (p<0.001) and who were not receiving cancer treatment (p<0.001). The univariate analysis showed that patients receiving breast cancer treatment and who were under hormone therapy reported difficulty getting to sleep (p=0.04) and pain (p =0.05). In a univariate analysis of patients treated for prostate cancer, being overweight was the only factor reported that had a statistically significant value.

Conclusions:

Our preliminary data support and are consistent with data in the literature as regards the importance of sleep disorders in oncology. This justifies the usefulness of a diagnosis and early treatment of sleep disorders in patients with cancer. The Rafael Institute sleep observatory will enable patients to be identified and treated.