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Sleep quality in long-term survivors of head and neck cancer: preliminary findings

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Abstract

Purpose

This preliminary study evaluated sleep quality in long-term head and neck cancer survivors, using demographic data and clinical features of the cancers as assessment criteria. In addition, a possible correlation was examined between scores on self-rated questionnaires of sleep quality and assessments of quality of life and oral health status.

Methods

Subjects were 77 head and neck cancer survivors. Sleep quality was evaluated using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale. Oral and general health status was assessed using The Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14) and the Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36), respectively, and correlated with clinical parameters. Spearman’s correlation coefficients were calculated to examine relationships between variables. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify independent variables associated with poor sleep quality.

Results

Eighty-three percent of patients had poor sleep quality (global scores ≥5) and 40% had a global Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index score ≥8, indicating significantly poor sleep quality. Nocturnal enuresis, daytime sleepiness, and early morning awakening were the most common complaints. Extensive neck dissection, a lower SF-36 mental component score, and a higher OHIP-14 psychological disability score were independently associated with poor sleep quality. OHIP-14 global score was linked independently with daytime sleepiness.

Conclusion

This is the first study to demonstrate a high prevalence of poor sleep quality in long-term head and neck cancer survivors. Extensive neck dissection, poor mental health, and psychological disability may contribute to poor sleep quality. Maintaining good oral health-related quality of life could promote better sleep in these patients.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the patients and their families for their participation in this study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Maxillofacial Prosthetics, Graduate School, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), 1-5-45 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8549, Japan

    Na Li, Takafumi Otomaru & Hisashi Taniguchi

Authors
  1. Na Li
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  2. Takafumi Otomaru
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  3. Hisashi Taniguchi
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Takafumi Otomaru.

Ethics declarations

The experimental procedures were approved by the ethics committee of Tokyo Medical and Dental University (no. 1191). All subjects gave written informed consent.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Awarded first place in the poster competition at the 63rd Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Maxillofacial Prosthetics (AAMP); October 1–4, 2016; San Diego, California.

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Li, N., Otomaru, T. & Taniguchi, H. Sleep quality in long-term survivors of head and neck cancer: preliminary findings. Support Care Cancer 25, 3741–3748 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-017-3804-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-017-3804-7

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