Network Analysis of Fear of Recurrence and Sleep Disorders in Ovarian Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Background: This quantitative study aimed to analyze the internal association mechanism between the core symptoms of fear of recurrence and sleep disturbances among ovarian cancer chemotherapy patients in Western Region of China. Methods: From October 2024 to July 2025, a convenience sampling method was used to administer a questionnaire to ovarian cancer chemotherapy patients at a gynecology center within a university hospital situated in the Northwest region of China. The investigation employed general information questionnaires, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Fear of Cancer Recurrence-Short Form (FCR-Q-SF) to conduct the survey. Use R language to construct a network visual map, calculate centrality indicators, and describe the relationships among symptoms. Results: This study included a total of 248 patients with ovarian cancer undergoing chemotherapy. The incidence rates of fear of recurrence and sleep disorders were 54.3% and 66.2%, respectively. Univariate analysis showed a positive correlation between patients' fear of cancer recurrence and sleep disorders (P<0.05). The core symptom in the fear of cancer recurrence network is "F10 worrying that medications will harm my body". The bridging node connecting symptoms across different dimensions is "F11 worrying about what will happen to my family if something happens to me". In the network of fear of recurrence and sleep disorders, the core symptoms are "F10 worrying that medications will harm my body", "S1 sleep latency", and "S6 sleep problems" in sequence. Additionally, "sleep problems" serves as the bridging node connecting symptoms of fear of recurrence and sleep disorders. Conclusion: The network structure of disease symptoms helps to gain an in-depth understanding of the mechanism of fear of cancer recurrence and its relationship with sleep disorders in ovarian cancer patients. Based on this, it is recommended that clinical practitioners prioritize the prevention and alleviation of patients' anxiety about medication-induced harm, and strengthen attention to sleep problems, so as to better improve their overall mental health.
DOI: 10.2147/ijwh.s563088
Language: English
Topic: Cancer survivorship and care
Subfield: Oncology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,836
OpenAlex ID: W4417458029