BACKGROUND/AIM: A considerable number of patients with lung cancer are scheduled for definitive or adjuvant radiotherapy. Prevalence and potential risk factors of pre-radiotherapy sleep disturbances were evaluated. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Nineteen factors were retrospectively investigated for associations with pre-radiotherapy sleep disturbances in 77 lung cancer patients. Factors included COVID-19 pandemic; age; gender; performance score; comorbidity index; history of another malignancy; distress score; number of emotional, physical or practical problems; patient's request for psychological support; histology; tumor stage; upfront surgery; chemotherapy; and type of radiotherapy. RESULTS: Thirty-one patients (40.3%) reported sleep disturbances that were significantly associated with distress score 6-10 (p=0.019), ≥2 emotional problems (p=0.001), ≥5 physical problems (p<0.001), and request for psychological support (p=0.006). Trends were found for female gender (p=0.064) and stereotactic body radiation therapy (p=0.057). CONCLUSION: Many lung cancer patients assigned to radiotherapy reported sleep disturbances. Risk factors can be used to identify patients in need of psychological support already before treatment.
Sleep Disturbances in Lung Cancer Patients Assigned to Definitive or Adjuvant Irradiation