Management of Sleep-Wake Disturbances Comorbid With Cancer

It is critical that clinicians and healthcare systems adopt routine screening and affordable interventions to reduce chronic insomnia and improve the quality of life in cancer patients and survivors. We provide expert clinical advice on how to manage sleep-wake disturbances that occur comorbidly with cancer. Our discussion focuses on the etiology, screening, and assessment of sleep-wake disturbances, and on both nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic interventions to manage sleep disturbances, insomnia, and sleep-related breathing disorders. We share a simplified sleep management algorithm based on evidence-based guidelines and resources from the National Cancer Institute, National Comprehensive Cancer Network, and Oncology Nursing Society, as well as case studies that illustrate how oncology professionals can use the algorithm. Finally, we describe ways to strengthen the partnership between clinicians and patients in the management of sleep-wake disorders and related symptoms.

Introduction

Despite notable improvements over the last few decades in the efficacy, tolerability, and survival outcomes of cancer therapy, a diagnosis of cancer still causes patients a significant degree of emotional distress.[1] A statistical analysis of ratings and responses made by 1,205 cancer outpatients using the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Distress Thermometer and Problem List identified sleep problems as one of the top five risk factors for distress (other common factors include financial problems, worry, nervousness, and physical difficulties with “getting around”).[2] Patients can experience sleep disruption or sleep-wake disturbances during cancer treatment, for a long time after completing treatment, and even prior to the diagnosis and initial treatment of cancer. A 2017 study of 219 women with breast cancer in Nebraska, for example, found that even before starting chemotherapy, patients reported a cluster of symptoms that included sleep disturbances, anxiety, concerns about appearance, and difficulty concentrating.[3] Although sleep-wake disturbances are common throughout the cancer trajectory, they continue to be underdiagnosed and undertreated.[4]

Consequences of acute and chronic untreated sleep-wake disturbances in individuals with and without cancer include daytime fatigue, irritable mood, and cognitive impairment. When these conditions persist, they may have a negative impact on a person’s social life, daily function at work and at home, and quality of life. In the general population, persistent insomnia has been associated with work absences, life-threatening motor vehicle and work-site accidents, and psychiatric and cardiovascular disorders.[5] Importantly, the economic burden of untreated insomnia is much higher than the costs associated with treating insomnia. For example, in a randomly selected sample of 948 adults in Canada, 76% of all reported insomnia-related expenses resulted from work absences and reduced productivity.[6] Since cancer survivors often depend on employment for economic survival and insurance benefits, access to effective treatments for sleep-wake disturbances, insomnia, and sleep disorders is critical. The personal and societal burden of chronic sleep-wake disturbances, especially in people with cancer, needs to be addressed. To that end, this article describes the etiology, screening, and assessment of sleep-wake disturbances; outlines pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic interventions to manage sleep-wake disturbances; provides expert clinical advice on managing sleep-wake disturbances that occur in the context of cancer; and presents a simplified, user-friendly sleep management algorithm (see Figure).

There is a lack of consistency in the terms and definitions used to describe “sleep disturbances.” Although the terms sleep disorder, acute and chronic insomnia, and sleep-wake disturbance are often used interchangeably, there are distinctions between them. Sleep disorders comprise nearly 100 diagnostic entities described in the International Classification of Sleep Disorders diagnostic and coding manual (third edition, ICSD-3)[5] and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (fifth edition, DSM-5).[7] The most common sleep disorders diagnosed in primary care and oncology populations include chronic insomnia, sleep-disordered breathing (such as obstructive sleep apnea [OSA]), movement disorders (such as restless legs syndrome), and circadian rhythm disorders.[8] Insomnia is defined by the ICSD-3 as persistent difficulty with sleep initiation, maintenance, duration, or quality accompanied by some form of daytime impairment, which occurs despite adequate opportunity for sleep. Insomnia is considered chronic if these problems persist for 3 or more nights per week for at least 3 months; and acute if they have been occurring for less than 3 months. The term sleep-wake disturbances is broader, encompassing perceived or actual alterations in nighttime sleep (quality and duration), with subsequent daytime impairment, without a diagnosis by a provider.[9] Although sleep-wake disturbances often present with the usual features of insomnia-such as difficulty falling asleep (sleep initiation/latency), difficulty staying asleep (sleep maintenance), not feeling restored or refreshed on awakening, and daytime dysfunction-they also include circadian changes, sleep fragmentation, and other sleep alterations. In clinical practice, distinguishing between sleep-wake disturbances and insomnia is less important than identifying the actual sleep disorder and treating it appropriately. It is estimated that 30% to 60% of adults with cancer experience sleep-wake disturbances during diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship.[10]

The etiology of and risk factors for sleep-wake disturbances comorbid with cancer are numerous, and these conditions often exacerbate prior sleep issues. Sleep-wake disturbances are linked to tumor pathology, advanced stage of cancer, treatments, adjunct medications, environmental factors, psychosocial disturbances, and comorbid medical conditions.[7,11,12] Cancer treatments (chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, biologic agents, hormonal agents, molecularly targeted agents) have sleep-stealing adverse effects and can alter levels of inflammatory cytokines or disrupt circadian rhythms and sleep-wake patterns.[4] Cancer treatments and medications with sedative or stimulant properties (opioids, anxiolytics, anti-emetics, antidepressants, corticosteroids) disrupt sleep latency and maintenance.[13,14] Symptoms related to cancer or its treatment (pain, dyspnea, hot flashes, nausea, diarrhea) and psychological distress (depression, anxiety, and mood alterations) can negatively impact sleep quality and duration.[15]

It is unclear whether specific types of cancer tend to be associated with sleep-wake disturbances. In some studies, the prevalence of sleep-wake disturbances is greatest in patients with breast cancer, compared with other cancer types.[16] OSA has been associated with head and neck cancer.[17] Prostate cancer survivors treated with radiotherapy may experience sleep-wake disturbances resulting from urinary frequency and urgency.[18]

Risk factors for insomnia are categorized as predisposing, precipitating, and perpetuating in Spielman’s “3P” model of insomnia.[19] Predisposing factors are enduring psychological or biological traits that increase the likelihood of developing sleep-wake disturbances during the cancer experience. Predisposing factors include advanced age, female sex, an anxiety-prone personality, a family or personal history of insomnia and/or psychiatric disorder, and genetic characteristics. Precipitating factors are life events and medical, psychological, and environmental factors that trigger insomnia.These include anxiety related to the cancer diagnosis; treatment-related effects of chemotherapy, radiation, and anti-estrogen therapy; and specific side effects/conditions that result in disrupted circadian rhythms, hospitalization, and menopausal symptoms.[4] Perpetuating factors are maladaptive behaviors and beliefs that patients feel help them to cope with sleep difficulties. Detrimental behaviors include spending extended time in bed, taking frequent and long naps, following an irregular sleep schedule, and being physically inactive. Beliefs such as fear of sleeplessness and worries about daytime consequences of poor sleep may delay sleep onset and cause frequent, prolonged awakenings.

How Do We Screen for and Assess Sleep-Wake Disturbances?

Sleep-wake disturbances are recognized through patients’ subjective complaints of insufficient quality or duration of sleep. In addition, patients with sleep disorders such as OSA present with observable signs, such as snoring and apneic episodes during sleep. Prominent groups, including the National Cancer Institute (NCI),[20] NCCN,[21] the Oncology Nursing Society (ONS, in a Putting Evidence into Practice [PEP] resource),[22] and the pan-Canadian expert panel[23] disseminate evidence-based guidelines and resources for screening, assessment, and treatment of sleep-wake disturbances in patients with cancer. Despite the pervasiveness of sleep-wake disturbances and the availability of practice guidelines aimed at addressing symptoms, research suggests that provider communication, assessment, and treatment of sleep-wake disturbances are suboptimal.[24-26] Patient, provider, and system-related barriers hamper the translation of the relevant guidelines into practice.[27] The barriers are similar to issues that impede implemention of guidelines for management of cancer-related fatigue.[28] They include patients’ attitudes and beliefs, clinicians’ tendency to prescribe medications due to a lack of familiarity with and capacity to provide behavioral interventions, and the lack of access to reimbursement and sleep specialists.

Step 1 of the simplified algorithm (Figure)[21] is to identify sleep-wake disturbances in patients with cancer using three brief and standardized screening questions; these need to be asked at regular intervals and when changes occur in the patient’s clinical status. Step 2 is to detect sleep disorders (eg, OSA, restless legs syndrome, hypersomnia) using self-report instruments (Table 1). A referral to a sleep specialist is indicated when a sleep disorder is suspected. Step 3 is a focused assessment. Because of its established use in cancer populations, we suggest using the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI)[29] to determine the severity of sleep-wake disturbances. Identification of treatable risk factors such as comorbidities, medications, symptoms, and irregular sleep-wake patterns is a high priority. Controlling comorbidities and lowering the doses of medications that have stimulating or sedating side effects (eg, corticosteroids, opiates, antidepressants, anti-emetics, antihistamines) may provide immediate benefits. Clinicians need to monitor and treat concurrent symptoms such as pain, fatigue, and depression.

How Do We Treat Sleep-Wake Disturbances That Are Comorbid With Cancer?

Research investigating interventions to treat sleep-wake disturbances that are comorbid with cancer has advanced steadily in the last two decades. Step 4 of the algorithm (see Figure) outlines sleep hygiene (SH) education that is fundamental knowledge for all patients (ISI = 0 to 28). If a patient’s ISI score is ≤ 14, then Step 5 is skipped and a follow-up assessment is scheduled in 12 weeks (Step 6). If a patient’s ISI score is ≥ 15, then selection of nonpharmacologic and/or pharmacologic interventions is indicated (Step 5). The clinicians collaborates with the patient to select an intervention categorized as “recommended for practice” or “likely to be effective” by ONS PEP experts, in addition to SH education.[21-23] Step 6 is a follow-up assessment 12 weeks later or if a change occurs in the patient’s condition.

Patients with cancer who are experiencing sleep-wake disturbances may benefit from treatments that were originally developed for and tested in adults without cancer. Several meta-analyses and systematic reviews have examined the efficacy of nonpharmacologic[4,30,31] and pharmacologic[32] interventions to improve sleep-wake disturbances occurring comorbidly with cancer. The ONS PEP program uses standardized criteria to conduct ongoing analyses of research evidence for a variety of sleep interventions. ONS PEP experts have concluded that cognitive-behavioral interventions or approaches (CBI/A) for insomnia have strong and consistent evidence to supports their recommendation for clinical use.[22] CBI/A is a multicomponent therapy aimed at changing detrimental sleep-related thoughts and behaviors. Although more time consuming than administering medication, CBI/A is well received by patients and produces sustained improvements in both sleep quality and duration.[33] Standard components of CBI/A include sleep restriction, stimulus control, SH education, and cognitive therapy, with or without relaxation.[33,34] These components reduce the hyperarousal and other factors that perpetuate sleep-wake disturbances-by modifying sleep schedules, habits, and dysfunctional misconceptions. Combining CBI/A with medications can optimize outcomes, although there is scant evidence to guide the integration of these approaches into clinical practice.[33]

The ONS-PEP category of “likely to be effective” includes exercise and mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR).[22] Exercise is characterized by “FITT,” or frequency, intensity, time, and type.[35] Exercise interventions have improved sleep in patients both during and after cancer treatments.[36] Guidelines for interventions to improve sleep in cancer patients with normal functional status are similar to those used in healthy populations.[37] Aerobic exercise maintains and/or improves mental and emotional health in stressful times and strengthens 24-hour circadian activity rhythms, a factor associated with longer survival in patients with advanced cancer.[38] MBSR is “likely to be effective” in improving cancer-related sleep-wake disturbances[22] and may be particularly helpful in patients with anxiety, but more evidence is needed from large, well-designed studies.

Sedative/hypnotic medications may be beneficial as short-term strategies to treat sleep-wake disturbances and often are used in conjunction with SH and other nonpharmacologic strategies that take longer to show benefits. Table 2 synthesizes information from NCI[20] and NCCN[21] about sedative/hypnotic medications approved by the US Food and Drug Administration to treat sleep-wake disturbances. Selection of a sedative/hypnotic agent needs to be based on the type of sleep problem encountered. Short-acting agents are preferred for sleep initiation, and long-acting agents are used for sleep maintenance. Comorbid conditions such as anxiety and depression also should be considered. The clinician’s decision to prescribe sleep medication must be made carefully; both the patient and caregiver need to be aware of potential adverse effects, drug-drug interactions, long-term implications, and safety issues associated with a particular agent.

The preferred classes of prescription drugs for short-term use (< 7 days) by patients with sleep-wake disturbances are benzodiazepines and nonbenzodiazepine benzodiazepine receptor agonists. Hypnotics and sedatives can create a hang-over effect upon awakening and may result in reduced memory and performance, leading to impaired daytime functioning. This effect also occurs with over-the-counter sleep aids containing antihistamines. Other potentially serious adverse effects of sedative/hypnotic medications that should be discussed with patients and caregivers include complex sleep-related behaviors such as sleep-driving, worsening of depression, and psychological and/or physical dependence. Sleep experts recommend starting medications at low doses, monitoring patients closely for side effects, and tapering the drugs slowly to prevent withdrawal symptoms and rebound insomnia.[39] The use of herbal sleep aids is strongly discouraged due to a lack of information about drug-drug interactions.

Two clinical scenarios (case studies) show how the algorithm (Figure) is applied in the management of patients with cancer and comorbid sleep-wake disturbances.

Discussion/Conclusion

NCCN survivorship guidelines on sleep-wake disturbances were released in 2015; ONS PEP reviewers rated interventions as “effectiveness established” and “likely to be effective,” and disseminated this information online.[21,22] Patient, clinician, and system-level resources need to be developed for widespread implementation and adoption of guidelines for the management of sleep-wake disturbances in practice settings. There is tension in busy oncology clinics between delivery of cancer treatment and supportive care such as screening and management of sleep-wake disturbances. NCI PDQ[40] is an example of a resource for patients.

In both primary care and oncology settings, screening patients for sleep-wake disturbances comorbid with cancer and their daytime consequences can reduce the economic burden of untreated sleep problems. Clinicians and systems need to value the electronic medical record and dedicate its use to tracking screening methods, treatments prescribed, and outcomes for patients with sleep-wake disturbances. Referrals, SH education, and evidence-based interventions need to be readily available to patients-and performed by qualified clinicians. Treatment is most likely to be successful when it is tailored to the individual and focuses on specific physiologic and behavioral factors. Survivorship care plans also need to address this issue. Like nutrition and exercise, resources to address difficulties with sleep need to be included in public health initiatives.

Financial Disclosure:The authors have no significant financial interest in or other relationship with the manufacturer of any product or provider of any service mentioned in this article.

Acknowledgment:We thank Dilorom Djalilova, BSN, BA for her assistance in preparing this manuscript.

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