Sleep quality trajectories from head and neck cancer diagnosis to six months after treatment

Patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) often report disturbances in their sleep quality, impairing quality of life. This study aims to examine the trajectories from diagnosis up 6-month after treatment, as well pre-treatment risk factors for poor trajectories. Sleep (Pittsburgh index) was measured shortly (pre-treatment), at 3 6 months finishing treatment. were categorized into 5 trajectory groups. We examined association sociodemographic clinical characteristics, coping style, HNC symptoms, psychological distress. Among 412 included patients, about a half either had persistent good (37.6%) or an improving (16.5%) trajectory. About third (21.8%) worsening (10.9%) The remaining patients (13.1%), alternated between sleep. Using reference outcome, sleepers more likely be woman (odds ratio [OR] = 1.98, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01–3.90), use painkillers prior treatment (OR 2.52, CI 1.33–4.77), have anxiety symptoms 1.26, 1.15–1.38). Unfavorable are prevalent among A periodic evaluation starting is necessary identify problems, especially high-risk group.