Evaluation of Pre-radiotherapy Sleep Disorders in Patients With Rectal or Anal Cancer.

Background/aim: Radiotherapy and radiochemotherapy are common treatments for rectal and anal cancer. Anticipation of treatment may cause distress and sleep disorders. This study aimed to identify risk factors for sleep disorders.

Patients And Methods: In 42 patients with rectal or anal cancer scheduled for radiotherapy, 16 characteristics were analyzed for associations with pre-radiotherapy sleep disorders including age, gender, performance score, comorbidity, patient's or family history of additional cancer/melanoma, distress score, emotional/physical/practical problems, tumor site and stage, surgery and relation to COVID-19 pandemic.

Results: Overall prevalence of pre-radiotherapy sleep disorders was 42.9%. Sleep disorders were significantly associated with Karnofsky performance score 60-80 (p=0.044), Charlson comorbidity index ≥3 (p=0.0012), distress score 6-10 (p=0.00012), and more emotional (p=0.0012), physical (p=0.0004) or practical (p=0.033) problems. A trend was found for female gender (p=0.061).

Conclusion: Sleep disorders were common in patients with rectal or anal cancer scheduled for radiotherapy. Risk factors can help identify patients requiring psychooncological support already prior to the start of radiotherapy.