Background
Breast cancer patients are vulnerable to depression with prevalence varying in literature with direct and indirect impact on compliance to treatment, quality of life and response to therapeutic course. Our study aims at identifying poor sleep quality as clinical marker for depression and poor quality of life among breast cancer patients.
Patients and Methods
100 female patients with breast cancer diagnosis were recruited from Alexandria Police Hospital after consenting they were subject to Hamilton Rating Scale (HAM-D), Ferrans and Powers Quality of Life Scale (QOL), Pittsburg sleep quality Index (PSQI) and structured demographic data questionnaire was done to collect relevant data.
Results
The prevalence of moderate to severe depressive symptoms on HAM-D was 52%, PSQI mean score 9.98±4.4, QOL mean score 14.2±2.4, high significant association has been found between poor sleep quality and both intensity of depression and quality of life (p <0.001). Poor sleep quality was positively correlated to depression (r= 0,79; p <0.001) and negatively correlated to quality of life (r= -0.65; p <0.001).
Conclusions
Poor sleep is underestimated among breast cancer patients and should raise awareness for pathological depression and poor quality of life.