Association between residual gastric volume and long-term postoperative sleep disturbances in gastric cancer survivors

Background: Gastric cancer patients are frequently complicated by sleep disturbance, which severely impairs their quality of life and compromises disease prognosis. This study aims to investigate the association between residual gastric volume (RGV) and sleep disturbance in patients who have undergone partial gastrectomy, and to optimize clinical management. Methods: A total of 412 gastric cancer patients who underwent partial gastrectomy were enrolled. RGV was measured using ultrasonography at 6 months postoperatively; sleep disturbance was assessed with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) at 6, 9, and 12 months postoperatively. Data regarding patients' demographic characteristics, tumor features, treatment regimens, postoperative complications, dietary habits, and physical activity were collected via face-to-face interviews and medical record reviews. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify predictors of postoperative sleep disturbance, with adjustment for potential confounding factors. Results: Postoperative RGV ≤ 150 mL was associated with higher PSQI scores at 6, 9, and 12 months as well as a higher average total PSQI score, together with higher rates of frequent sleep symptoms (difficulty falling asleep, nocturnal awakening, early awakening, and daytime fatigue) during the 6-12-month follow-up (all P < 0.05). Conclusion: This study identifies a significant relationship between reduced RGV and persistent sleep disturbance, highlighting this gastric metric as a promising, reliable predictor of sleep-related complications in gastric cancer patients. If these findings are further validated, clinicians can identify high-risk populations for this complication at an early stage and implement precise prevention and management strategies through personalized dietary interventions and pharmacotherapy.