Vasomotor and depressive symptoms are primary correlates of poor sleep quality in postmenopausal women, regardless of breast cancer history
In a cross-sectional study of 102 postmenopausal women (64 with breast cancer, 38 without), global PSQI scores were similar between groups, and 34.3% were classified as poor sleepers. Vasomotor symptoms (β=0.22, P=.004) and depressive symptoms (β=0.45, P<.001) were significant correlates of sleep quality, together with employment and smoking, explaining 54% of variance. Breast cancer survivorship was not associated with sleep quality.
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Vasomotor and depressive symptoms are primary correlates of poor sleep quality in postmenopausal women, regardless of breast cancer history The current body of evidence comprises 1 study. EvidenceHub rates the overall confidence at 34/100 (low).
The Claim
Vasomotor and depressive symptoms are primary correlates of poor sleep quality in postmenopausal women, regardless of breast cancer history
This conclusion is most relevant to: Postmenopausal women with and without breast cancer (n=102).
What the Research Shows
The conclusion draws on 1 linked study. Highlights from the cited literature:
- ▸Menopausal Symptoms, Depression, and Sleep Quality Among Postmenopausal Women With and Without Breast Cancer. (Cancer nursing, 2026) —
How It Works
The proposed biological pathway:
- ▸Vasomotor symptoms (e.g., hot flashes) disrupt sleep through nighttime awakenings and discomfort
- ▸Depressive symptoms may alter sleep architecture and circadian regulation
- ▸These factors interact with employment and smoking to further impair sleep
- ▸Result: Poor sleep quality (PSQI >5) in 34.3% of women
Who Might Benefit
Evidence fit by population:
- ▸Postmenopausal women with and without breast cancer (n=102)
Recommended Dose
N/A
Limitations & Caveats
Important context when interpreting this evidence:
- ▸Cross-sectional design prevents causal inference
- ▸Small sample size (n=102) and unequal group sizes (64 vs 38) may limit generalizability
- ▸Self-reported measures (PSQI, CES-D) may introduce recall bias
Frequently Asked Questions
Does breast cancer history affect sleep quality in postmenopausal women?▼
No, breast cancer survivorship was not associated with sleep quality in this study; sleep quality was similar between breast cancer survivors and healthy comparisons.
What factors are most strongly linked to poor sleep in postmenopausal women?▼
Depressive symptoms (β=0.45) and vasomotor symptoms (β=0.22) were the strongest correlates, along with employment and smoking, explaining 54% of the variance in PSQI scores.
What percentage of postmenopausal women in this study were poor sleepers?▼
34.3% of the women were classified as poor sleepers (PSQI >5).
What sleep components were most affected in this population?▼
Most women had adequate sleep latency (66.7%), efficiency (74.5%), and subjective quality (90.2%), but only 25.5% achieved more than 7 hours of sleep per night.
References
- 1.Kim I, Park NJ. “Menopausal Symptoms, Depression, and Sleep Quality Among Postmenopausal Women With and Without Breast Cancer..” Cancer nursing, 2026. PMID: 42608713 DOI: 10.1097/NCC.0000000000001630