Quality of Sleep Among Newly Diagnosed Head and Neck Cancer Patients at Vietnam National Cancer Hospital: A Single Center Observation Study

Background and Objective Sleep disturbances are prevalent among cancer patients, particularly those with head and neck cancer (HNC). The present study aimed to assess the prevalence and factors contributing to poor sleep quality in HNC patients receiving treatment at the National Cancer Hospital in Vietnam.Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted on 202 newly diagnosed HNC patients between January 2023 and December 2023. Sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), with a score greater than 5 indicating poor sleep quality. Factors such as cancer stage, treatment type, pain, and socioeconomic status were analyzed for their association with sleep quality.Results Among 202 patients, 152 (75.2%) had poor sleep quality before treatment. Several factors were found to be significantly associated with poor sleep: younger age, being female, having swallowing problems, and taking painkiller.Conclusions Poor sleep quality is highly prevalent among HNC patients prior to the initiation of treatment. Early evaluation and tailored interventions to improve sleep quality are crucial in preparing these patients for the challenges of HNC treatment and its associated consequences. Addressing sleep disturbances at an early stage can enhance patients’ overall wellbeing, improve treatment outcomes, and mitigate the physical and psychological stressors associated with cancer care.