Abstract:
Background: Cancer-related fatigue and poor sleep quality are among the most prevalent and distressing symptoms experienced by patients with cancer. It affects the physical, emotional, and cognitive functioning of patients with cancer. Despite the high prevalence and predictors factor on quality of life, the comorbidity of fatigue and poor sleep remains underexplored, particularly in low-resource settings where access to compre hensive oncology care such as limited psychosocial services, lack of routine screening is limited. However, existing research predominantly focuses on either fatigue or poor sleep quality separately, highlighting a critical gap in evidence regarding their combined effect in patients with cancer.
Methods: Institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among adult cancer patients attending the oncology unit from April to June 2025. Systematic random sampling technique was used to select 422 partic ipants. Data were collected using a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire, and Epi Data version 4.6, and exported to Stata version 14 for analysis. Model fitness was assessed using the Hosmer Lem show goodness of fit. Descriptive statistics such as, frequencies and percentage were computed and presented by using tables and texts. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis was employed considering p<0.05 to be statistically significant.
Results: In this study, 46.67% of participants experienced comorbidity of fatigue and poor sleep quality. Age 61-89 years (AOR=2.79, 95% CI: 1.02, 7.62), rural residency (AOR =2.03, 95% CI: 1.02, 4.01), married & divorced (AOR=2.65, 95% CI:1.01, 6.90) and (AOR=3.54, 95% CI: 1.10, 11.40), inpatient (AOR=2.84, 95% CI: 1.63, 4.95), Stage II and Stage IV (AOR=3.92, 95% CI: 1.89, 8.12) and (AOR= 2.52, 95% CI: 1.04, 6.15), respectively, cancer duration (AOR=2.70, 95% CI: 1.14, 6.39), anxiety (AOR=1.93, 95% CI: 1.06, 3.51), depression (AOR=2.10, 95% CI: 1.19, 3.70).
Conclusions: The comorbidity of fatigue and poor sleep quality is highly prevalent among patients with can cer. Multiple sociodemographic, clinical, and psychosocial factors have been identified as significant pre dictors. Routine screening and integrated supportive care are essential to effectively address these comorbid symptoms and improve overall patient outcomes.
