Original ArticlePsychosocial correlates of sleep quality and architecture in women with metastatic breast cancer

- We examined the relationship of depression and marital status with sleep in cancer.
- Sleep quality and architecture in metastatic breast cancer is characterized.
- Women with greater depression had increased light sleep and reduced slow-wave sleep and rapid eye movement sleep.
- Single women had worse sleep quality and greater light sleep than married women.
- Marriage was related to improved sleep for women with more depressive symptoms.

BackgroundSleep disturbance is prevalent among women with metastatic breast cancer (MBC). Our study examined the relationship of depression and marital status to sleep assessed over three nights of polysomnography (PSG).MethodsWomen with MBC (N = 103) were recruited; they were predominately white (88.2%) and 57.8 ± 7.7 years of age. Linear regression analyses assessed relationships among depression, marital status, and sleep parameters.ResultsWomen with MBC who reported more depressive symptoms had lighter sleep (e.g., stage 1 sleep; P < .05), less slow-wave sleep (SWS) (P < .05), and less rapid eye movement (REM) sleep (P < .05). Single women had less total sleep time (TST) (P < .01), more wake after sleep onset (WASO) (P < .05), worse sleep efficiency (SE) (P < .05), lighter sleep (e.g., stage 1; P < .05), and less REM sleep (P < .05) than married women. Significant interactions indicated that depressed and single women had worse sleep quality than partnered women or those who were not depressed.ConclusionWomen with MBC and greater symptoms of depression had increased light sleep and reduced SWS and REM sleep, and single women had worse sleep quality and greater light sleep than married counterparts. Marriage was related to improved sleep for women with more depressive symptoms.