Prevalence of Sleep Disorders, Risk Factors and Sleep Treatment Needs of Adolescents and Young Adult Childhood Cancer Patients in Follow-Up after Treatment

Abstract

Background: Sleep disorders negatively impact adolescent and young adult childhood cancer patients’ physical and psychosocial health. Early recognition improves timely treatment. We therefore studied the prevalence of subjective sleep disorders, risk factors and sleep treatment needs after completion of childhood cancer treatment. Methods: Childhood cancer patients (12–26 years old), ≥6 months after treatment, were invited to fill out the Holland Sleep Disorders Questionnaire, which distinguishes six sleep disorders in substantial agreement with the International Classification of Sleep Disorders, second edition (ICSD-2). They additionally indicated sleep treatment needs. Prevalence rates and needs were displayed in percentages. Logistic regression models were used for risk factors. Results: 576 patients participated (response rate 55.8%)—49.5% females, mean age 17.0 years, 44.4% hemato-oncology, 31.9% solid tumors, 23.6% neuro-oncology. Prevalence rates were: insomnia (9.6%), circadian rhythm sleep disorder (CRSD; 8.1%), restless legs syndrome (7.6%), parasomnia (3.5%), hypersomnia (3.5%) and sleep-related breathing disorders (1.8%). Female sex, comorbid health conditions and young adulthood seem to be risk factors for sleep disorders, but cancer-related factors were not. Differing per sleep disorder, 42–72% wanted help, but only 0–5.6% received sleep treatment. Conclusions: Insomnia and CRSD were most prevalent. An unmet need for sleep treatment was reported by childhood cancer patients during follow-up. Screening for sleep disorders after cancer might improve access to treatment and patient wellbeing.

Insomnia Symptoms and Daytime Fatigue Co-Occurrence in Adolescent and Young Adult Childhood Cancer Patients in Follow-Up after Treatment: Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors

“…Previous studies have shown that patients have a need for support for their sleep and fatigue symptoms after active treatment has ended [ 4 , 56 , 57 ]. However, they often experience barriers with reporting sleep problems to their healthcare professional [ 58 ].…”

“…The data for the current study were collected during part 1 of the study, with a cross-sectional national cohort design. For more information on the procedures and characteristics of responders and non-responders to the questionnaires, please see Peersmann et al [ 4 ]. Adolescents and young adults in the Netherlands that were included in the Dutch Childhood Oncology Group registry (DCOG; patients that were 6 months up to 5 years after diagnosis) or the Dutch Childhood Cancer Survivorship Study (DCC-SS LATER registry; patients that were 5–10 years after diagnosis) were eligible if they: (1) were aged ≥12 years old at the time of study; (2) were diagnosed with cancer or a non-malignant/low-grade tumor for which oncologic follow-up was required, before the age of 19 years; (3) were diagnosed within the last 10 years; and (4) had finished their last cancer treatment at least 6 months prior.…”

“…In Supplementary Table S1 , more information is provided about the types of co-morbid health conditions that were reported by participants. The DCOG and DCC-SS-LATER databases were used to verify age at study invitation, sex, age at diagnosis, time since diagnosis, and type of cancer diagnosis for non-responders [ 4 ].…”

“…Sleep problems are common in adolescents and young adults after childhood cancer treatment: approximately 30% report sleep problems, which significantly impacts their health and quality of life [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]. Sleep problems can be diverse, but the most common type after childhood cancer is characterized by insomnia complaints [ 4 ]. Insomnia can be defined as difficulty initiating or maintaining sleep during the night, with impaired sleep quality, which has a substantial impact on daily functioning [ 5 ].…”

Interactive Education on Sleep Hygiene with a Social Robot at a Pediatric Oncology Outpatient Clinic: Feasibility, Experiences, and Preliminary Effectiveness

“…Sleep problems are common during and after treatment for childhood cancer [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ] and they are related to a lower quality of life [ 5 , 6 , 7 ]. The prevalence of sleep problems in children with cancer during treatment ranges from 74 to 95% [ 5 ].…”