Prevalence, risk factors, and impacts of sleep disturbances in patients with primary brain tumors: a systematic review

Abstract

Sleep disturbances are common in patients with primary brain tumors (PBT), significantly affecting their health-related quality of life (QoL), emotional well-being, cognitive function, and clinical outcomes. These disturbances not only impact the patients themselves but also place a burden on their families and caregivers. Despite growing recognition of these problems, a comprehensive understanding of their prevalence, severity, and risk factors remains limited. This systematic review aimed to update the evidence on sleep disturbances in PBT patients, focusing on prevalence, risk factors, and management strategies. Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, we searched PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, PsycINFO, and CINAHL for studies published from September 2015 to June 2024. Eligible studies assessed sleep disturbances in adult PBT patients using validated methods. Studies with mixed-cancer samples, pediatric patients, or lacking validated sleep assessments were excluded. A total of 11 studies were included, revealing high rates of sleep disturbances, ranging from 9.2 to over 60, varying by tumor type and treatment stage. Key risk factors included older age, female gender, certain tumor types (e.g., pituitary), perioperative sleep quality, and psychological distress. Sleep disturbances were linked to worse clinical outcomes, including higher mortality and burden. Addressing sleep disturbances through routine assessment and targeted interventions is essential for improving outcomes in this population.