Fatigue and Sleep Disturbance among Breast Cancer Patients during Treatment in Saudi Arabia

BACKGROUND: Fatigue and sleep disturbances are highly prevalent side effects encountered during treatment by patients with breast cancer, and they affect women's quality of life. Most studies investigating sleep and exhaustion in cancer patients provide evidence that supports a strong connection between different sleep parameters and fatigue associated with cancer. OBJECTIVE: This study was to assess the level of fatigue and sleep disturbance in breast cancer patients during treatment in Saudi Arabia. METHOD: A descriptive cross-sectional study design was conducted on breast cancer patients undergoing treatment in Saudi Arabia. The data were collected through convenience sampling of patients. The study involved self-administered questionnaires comprising three categories: demographic data, perceived Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy–Fatigue (FACIT-F). A total of 101 participants took part in this study. The significant statistical test was determined at a 95% confidence interval and at p < 0.05. RESULTS: Half of the study participants were aged between 30 and 50 years. Significant differences were found in fatigue and sleep disturbance among BC patients during treatment in Saudi Arabia. A high prevalence of fatigue was found at 21.8%, and 5% of participants experienced sleep disturbance. CONCLUSIONS: Breast cancer patients in Saudi Arabia have a low overall global quality of life. The patients experience poor sleep quality and fatigue, which suggests that during treatment, patients need to be assessed routinely for these symptoms to prevent or reduce fatigue and sleep disturbance. Sleep disturbance might be correlated with fatigue.