Evaluation of Sleep Quality, Depression, and Quality of Life in Patients with Breast Cancer Related Lymphedema

Background: Breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) is a serious health condition negatively affecting psychological state, sleep quality, and quality of life (QOL) of patients. These complications of BCRL can be overlooked in routine clinical practice. The aim of this study is to evaluate sleep quality, depression, and QOL in patients with different stages of BCRL.Methods: This cross-sectional study included 111 consecutive women patients with BCRL attending to lymphedema unit of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Hospital in Ankara City Hospital. Demographical and clinical data of patients were noted. Sleep quality was assessed with Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, day-time sleepiness was assessed with Epworth Sleepiness Scale, depression was assessed with Beck Depression Questionnaire, and QOL was assessed with Lymphedema Quality of Life Questionnaire-arm.Results: Median age of patients was 57 (49-63) (25%-75% interquartile range). Nearly 58.8% of the patients had sleep disturbances, and 29.7% of the patients had depression. Presence of both sleep disturbance and depression was associated with increased age. Patients with sleep disturbance were found to be more depressive and vice versa, (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, respectively). Sleep disturbance, depression and day-time sleepiness, and higher body mass index were all associated with lower QOL scores.Conclusions: Presence of sleep disturbances and depression should be evaluated in every patient with BCRL with special attention to elderly. Rehabilitative management of BCRL should include psychiatric evaluation and interventions. Future studies should intend to assess the risk factors that affect psychological state, sleep quality, and QOL in patients with BCRL.