Pharmacological Treatment for Sleep Disturbance in Patients with Cancer : A Systematic Review

Kim, Ha Kyoung; Kim, Jong Heun

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
Sleep disturbance constitutes a significant and relatively common source of suffering for cancer patients. It is a challenge for oncologists to address this troubling symptom with pharmacotherapy's limited evidence base. This paper systematically reviewed the literature for evidence of pharmacological treatment of sleep disturbances in this population.
METHODS
We searched international and domestic databases using the search terms "cancer", "sleep disturbance", and "pharmacological intervention", limiting the search to English- and Korean-language articles published between 1980 and 2008. Included studies were intervention studies, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses on pharmacological treatment for the sleep disturbance of adult patients suffering various medical conditions, including cancer. We graded the included studies according to Scottish Intercollegiate Guideline Network (SIGN) methodology checklists.
RESULTS
Of the 223 studies searched, we only 7 studies met the criteria : 1 systematic review and 6 (85.7%) intervention studies. Among currently prescribed medications for sleep disturbance, only a few have been studied in patients with cancer, and their long-term follow-up data was not available.
CONCLUSION
Based on available literature, the evidence in favor of pharmacological treatment for sleep disturbance (in cancer patients) is weak. Further studies containing long-term follow-up data should be conducted.