Abstract 620: Differences in fatigue, sleep disturbance, and quality of life in middle aged and older adults with cancer prior to cancer treatment
Authors: David Asakitogum, Arsham Alamian, Victoria Loerzel
Journal: Cancer Research (2025)

Abstract Introduction: Symptom burden and poor quality of life (QOL) are associated with cancer and its treatment. However, there is limited amount of research regarding age differences in common physical symptoms and QOL in adults with cancer prior to cancer treatment. Knowledge of age differences in common physical symptoms in these patients will inform clinical decision on pre-interventions. Therefore, the purposes of this study were to: 1) evaluate age differences in occurrence rates and severity ratings for fatigue, sleep disturbance, and QOL; 2) assess risk factors associated with the severity of each symptom and QOL outcomes. Methods: Participants (n=111) were dichotomized into middle (50 - 64 years) and older (≥65 years) age groups. Participants completed the Symptom Representation Questionnaire and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer-Core 30 prior to cancer treatment. Differences in demographic and experiential characteristics, each symptom, and QOL outcomes were evaluated using parametric and non-parametric tests. Logistic procedures were used to identify risk factors associated with the severity of each symptom and QOL outcomes. Results: Overall, the prevalence of moderate to severe fatigue were 13.51% and 26.12%, tired 21.62% and 40.54%, and sleep disturbance were 12.61% and 26.13% in the middle and older aged patients respectively, prior to the initiation of chemotherapy. Our findings indicate that compared to middle age, older patients experienced similar fatigue (2.67 Vs 3.04), sleep disturbance (1.98 Vs 2.03), and QOL scores (5.62 Vs 5.42) respectively prior to chemotherapy. Holding other variables constant: patients with trade and some college degrees were less likely (OR=0.095) to experience severe fatigue scores while those with cancer stage II-III were less likely (OR=0.129-0.083) to experience moderate fatigue. Compared to females, male patients were less likely (OR=0.166) to experience severe sleep disturbance while older aged were more likely (OR=5.492) to experience moderate sleep disturbance compared to middle age. Patients with breast cancer were more likely (OR=7.835) to experience excellent QOL compared to other cancers. Conclusion: Approximately 4.50% and 9.01% of middle and 11.71% and 9.01% of older aged patients with cancer experienced severe fatigue and sleep disturbance respectively prior to cancer treatment. The study identified risk factors associated with severe fatigue and sleep disturbance. These findings have implications for oncology clinicians to assess symptoms and provide early intervention for these patients before commencement of cancer treatment so worsening of side effects can be minimized. Citation Format: David Asakitogum, Arsham Alamian, Victoria Loerzel. Differences in fatigue, sleep disturbance, and quality of life in middle aged and older adults with cancer prior to cancer treatment [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2025; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2025 Apr 25-30; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2025;85(8_Suppl_1):Abstract nr 620.