Sleep and Fatigue in Advanced Ovarian Cancer
Presented at the Journal of Patient-Reported Outcomes
March 2026
Introduction
People with advanced ovarian cancer often have trouble sleeping and feel very tired, which can lower their quality of life. Many surveys measure these symptoms, but it’s not clear which ones matter most. This study looked at which sleep and fatigue issues are most linked to poorer quality of life.
This study was sponsored by Merck & Co., Inc
Authors
Abigail Newell, PhD, Maria Gonzalo, MS, Erica Fortune, PhD, Elif Andac-Jones, PhD, Elizabeth A. Szamreta, MPH, PhD, Merck & Co., Inc, Outcomes Research, Oncology
1 Merck & Co., Inc, Outcomes Research, Oncology
2 Cancer Support Community, Washington, DC, USA
Methods
We surveyed adults diagnosed with Stage III or IV ovarian cancer in the past three years. Patients answered questions about their sleep, fatigue, and overall health. We analyzed which symptoms were most connected to days of poor physical and mental health.
Results
Among 200 patients, sleep problems and fatigue were strongly linked to worse quality of life. These symptoms had a bigger impact than many medical or personal factors. The most important issues were trouble falling asleep, fatigue limiting physical activity, and feeling run-down.
Conclusions
Sleep problems and fatigue play a major role in how patients feel day to day. Healthcare providers should regularly ask about these symptoms to help patients get the support they need.
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Keywords
Quality of care Symptoms and side effects Treatment decision making Health behaviors Treatments Wellness