Sleep problems in cancer patients: a comparison between the Jenkins Sleep Scale and the single-item sleep scale of...

Sleep problems are frequent in cancer patients. Multiple questionnaires and one-item scales have been developed for measuring sleep quality. The aim of this study was to test the Jenkins Sleep Scale (JSS) in comparison with the one-item sleep scale of the quality of life questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30), and to examine the relationship between sleep quality and age, gender, clinical variables, and several domains of quality of life.

A sample of 1216 cancer patients who were treated in an oncological rehabilitation clinic were examined with the JSS, the EORTC QLQ-C30, and several other questionnaires (t1). Participants' sleep quality was then assessed a second time six months later (t2).

The cancer patients reported severe sleep problems, with t1 mean scores of 11.6 (JSS) and 51 (EORTC QLQ-C30 Sleep item). The reliability of the JSS was good (Cronbach's alpha = 0.84). Sleep problems were associated with gender (more problems in females), with several cancer treatment methods, and with all domains of quality of life. The JSS performed only marginally better than the EORTC QLQ-C30 Sleep item in detecting sleep problems.

Because of the high prevalence and the strong associations with all quality of life dimensions, sleep problems should be taken into account in cancer care. The one-item sleep instrument of the EORTC QLQ-C30 is sufficient for investigations conducted on a group level.