Sleep Problems Prior to Radio-chemotherapy in Patients with Locally Advanced Cancer of the Esophagus or the Esophagogastric Junction

Background/Aim: Many patients with locally advanced cancer of the esophagus or esophagogastric junction receive definitive or neoadjuvant radio-chemotherapy. Patient anticipation of this treatment can cause or aggravate distress and sleep disorders. This study aimed to identify the prevalence of sleep disorders and risk factors. Patients and Methods: Thirty-eight patients assigned to radio-chemotherapy were retrospectively evaluated for pre-treatment sleep disorders. Investigated characteristics included age; sex; performance score; comorbidity index; previous malignancies; family history; distress score; emotional, physical or practical problems; tumor site; histology and grading; tumor stage; planned treatment; and relation to 2019 Coronavirus pandemic. Results: Sleep problems were reported by 15 patients (39.5%). Significant associations were found for higher distress scores (p=0.016) and greater numbers of emotional problems (p<0.0001). A trend was observed for greater numbers of physical problems (p=0.176).