Sleep disturbances are underappreciated in prostate cancer survivorship

Prostate Cancer Prostatic Dis. 2023 Mar;26(1):210-212. doi: 10.1038/s41391-022-00630-6. Epub 2022 Dec 21.

Abstract

Background: The prevalence of sleep disturbances among prostate cancer (PCa) survivors, and extent of urologist involvement in sleep care are not well-studied.

Methods: PCa survivors (n = 167) and urologists (n = 145) were surveyed about sleep disturbances and survivorship care practices.

Results: Most PCa survivors had sleep disturbances, including 50.9% with poor sleep quality, 18.0% with clinical/severe insomnia, and 36.5% at high-risk for sleep apnea. Few urologists routinely screened for sleep disturbances, as recommended in national cancer survivorship guidelines.

Conclusions: Optimal PCa survivorship care should incorporate screening for sleep disturbances, addressing comorbid factors affecting sleep and referring to sleep medicine when appropriate.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Cancer Survivors*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Prostate
  • Prostatic Neoplasms* / complications
  • Prostatic Neoplasms* / epidemiology
  • Quality of Life
  • Sleep
  • Sleep Wake Disorders* / epidemiology
  • Sleep Wake Disorders* / etiology
  • Survivorship