Influencing Factors Associated with Sleep Disturbance in Breast Cancer Survivors
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Date
2025-05
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Publisher
The Ohio State University
Abstract
Background: Sleep disturbances are a common problem for breast cancer survivors (BCS), with over 60% expressing concerns. Influencing factors associated with sleep disturbance are not clearly understood.
Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine the association between physiological factors (comorbidities and current endocrine therapy), psychological factors (perceived stress, affect, and anxiety) and sleep disturbance in BCS survivors.
Methods: The Theory of Unpleasant Symptoms guided this study. A secondary data analysis of a national study of BCS who completed online questionnaires, including medical characteristics (Charleson Comorbidity Index [CCI] and current endocrine therapy use), Perceived Stress Scale, and Positive and Negative Affect Scale (PANAS), PROMIS Anxiety and Sleep Disturbance Short Forms were included. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and Pearson’s correlation coefficient.
Results: 589 BCS who were on average 56 (SD=11.9) years old and 6.1 (SD=5.7) years post-treatment completed the study. The majority were White (92%), Non-Hispanic (96%), and had moderate comorbidity level (CCI=3.4;SD=1.2) and low current endocrine therapy use (Tamoxifen=15% and Aromatase Inhibitor=33%). Sleep disturbances were significantly correlated with perceived stress, affect, and anxiety (p≤0.001); but not comorbidities and current endocrine therapy use.
Conclusions: Sleep disturbances in BCS are a complex group of symptoms and were significantly related to psychological factors in this national sample of long-term BCS. Although future prospective studies are needed, these findings emphasize the inter-relationships between perceived stress, affect, and anxiety with sleep disturbances and the need for nurses to address the psychological needs of long-term BCS.
Description
Outstanding Undergraduate Poster Award
Keywords
Breast Cancer Survivorship, Sleep Disturbance, Psychological factors, Physiological factors