Differences in fatigue, sleep disturbance, and quality of life in middle aged and older adults with cancer prior to cancer treatment.

PURPOSE/

Aims

Little is known about differences in common physical symptoms and quality of life (QOL) in middle-aged and older patients with cancer prior to treatment. This study (1) evaluated age differences in occurrence and severity for fatigue, sleep disturbance, and QOL and (2) assessed factors associated with symptom severity and QOL outcomes.

Methods

In this cross-sectional study, 111 adults with cancer were dichotomized into middle-aged (50-64) and older (≥65) groups. Participants completed the Symptom Representation Questionnaire and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer-Core 30 prior to treatment. Differences in demographic and clinical characteristics, symptoms, and QOL outcomes were evaluated using parametric and non-parametric tests. Logistic regression analyses were used to assess factors associated with symptom severity and QOL outcomes.

Results

The majority of participants were ≥65 years (62.16%), female (62.16%), and non-Hispanic (77.48%). In middle-aged and older patients respectively, the prevalence of moderate to severe fatigue was 35.71% and 42.03%; the prevalence of sleep disturbance was 33.33% and 42.03%. Older participants were more likely to experience mild to moderate sleep disturbance (OR=5.492; 95% CI: 1.162-25.945; p=0.032), and males were less likely than females to experience severe sleep disturbance (OR=0.166; 95% CI: 0.032-0.871; p = 0.034). Patients with breast cancer were more likely to experience better QOL than patients with other cancers (OR=7.835; 95% CI: 1.307-46.978; p=0.024).

Conclusion

Females were more likely to experience severe sleep disturbance prior to cancer treatment. These findings have implications for oncology clinicians to assess symptoms and provide pre-treatment interventions and support.