Background
Sleep disturbance is common amongst breast cancer (BC) survivors. We sought to determine the association between alcohol, hot flushes, quality of life (QOL) and sleep disturbance in BC survivors attending the Sydney Survivorship Clinic (SSC).
Methods
BC survivors completed the Patient DATA form assessing symptoms and QOL (FACT-G; higher score = better QOL) on their first visit to the SSC. Symptoms including sleep disturbance and flushes were scored from 0 (no trouble at all) to 10 (worst I can imagine); scores ≥4 were classified as at least moderate intensity and ≥7 as severe. Alcohol intake was self-reported as drinks/day for the last week.
Results
Characteristics of 227 BC survivors attending the SSC between September 2013 and May 2019: median age 53 years (range 29 – 83); post-menopausal 52%; receiving adjuvant endocrine therapy 71% (tamoxifen 46%, aromatase inhibitors 36%, other 18%). Hot flushes were at least moderate in 50% and severe in 21%. Sleep disturbance was at least moderate in 54% and severe in 17%. 47% reported consuming alcohol in the last week with a mean 1.9 drinks per week. There was no difference between sleep disturbance scores in women who drank alcohol (median 4) and those who did not (median 3), p=0.17. Women reporting at least moderate sleep disturbance compared to less than moderate: had worse mean QOL scores 65 and 78 respectively (p<0.0001); but were no more likely to drink alcohol, OR 1.74 (95% CI 0.96-3.14, p=0.07). Women reporting at least moderate flushes compared to less than moderate: were more likely to report at least moderate sleep disturbance, OR 3.68 (95% CI 2.02 – 6.70, p<0.0001); and had worse mean QOL scores 68 and 78 respectively (p=0.001).
Conclusion
Sleep disturbance amongst BC survivors was associated with hot flushes and worse QOL, but not with increased self-reported alcohol consumption.