Sleep disorders and fatigue: special issues in the older adult with cancer

Cancer J. 2014 Sep-Oct;20(5):352-7. doi: 10.1097/PPO.0000000000000072.

Abstract

Older adults with cancer reporting fatigue and sleep disorders often have coexisting geriatric syndromes and are at high risk of further functional decline. This review summarizes special considerations in the diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders and fatigue when older persons with cancer present with multiple comorbidities, polypharmacy, dementia, delirium, and/or falls. Physicians caring for these older adults need to be aware of the unique diagnostic and treatment concerns in this population so that these patients can receive optimal care.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Comorbidity
  • Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions
  • Fatigue / diagnosis
  • Fatigue / epidemiology
  • Fatigue / etiology*
  • Fatigue / therapy
  • Geriatric Assessment
  • Humans
  • Neoplasms / complications*
  • Sleep Wake Disorders / diagnosis
  • Sleep Wake Disorders / epidemiology
  • Sleep Wake Disorders / etiology*
  • Sleep Wake Disorders / therapy