As cancer detection and treatment improves, people with cancer diagnoses are living longer. Cancer as a chronic illness has led to new demands to manage the side effects of the disease. In cancer patients, one of the most common symptoms is sleep disturbance and fatigue. Sleep is critical for providing restorative, protective, and energy-conserving functions that are imperative for human life. The purpose of this study is to be able to describe sleep trajectories and symptom burden for hospitalized patients with advanced cancer over time. The Unpleasant Symptom Theory was used to explain how distressing symptoms, for example sleep disturbances, are a result of various factors. This study is a secondary analysis of a multi-site, prospective, observational study of palliative care consults in hospitalized patients with advanced cancer. Participants in this study included patients 18 years or older admitted to an acute care unit with advanced cancer that did not fit any of the exclusion criteria. The Condensed Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale (CMSAS) was used to assess sleep disturbances in study participants as well as co-occurring symptoms of pain, worry, nervousness, sadness, and lack of energy. We reviewed 12 adults that had complete data. Sleep disturbance was present in 90% of days measured and the patients endorsed an average of 5.5 concurrent symptoms when sleep disturbance was endorsed. Results from this study are consistent findings with others involving patients with cancer.No embargoAcademic Major: Nursin
