Abstract

RAFIHI-FERREIRA, Renatha El; PIRES, Maria Laura Nogueira  and  SOARES, Maria Rita Zoéga. Sleep, quality of life and depression in women in breast cancer post-treatment. Psicol. Reflex. Crit. [online]. 2012, vol.25, n.3, pp. 506-513. ISSN 0102-7972.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0102-79722012000300010.

This study investigated the sleep quality of women with breast cancer and their relationship with quality of life and depression. Fifty women with breast cancer (clinical group) and a control group of other 50 women without the disease answered a clinical-demographic questionnaire and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. The clinical group also completed the Quality of Life Cancer-Survivor and the Brief Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale questionnaires. It was found that women with breast cancer had significantly more complaints of nocturia, heat and nighttime awakenings. The clinical group with poor quality of sleep reported impaired quality of life and more symptoms of depression. In general terms, sleep quality in women with breast cancer can predict their quality of life and psychological well-being.

Keywords : Breast cancer; insomnia; quality of life; depression.