Cognitive function in the context of pharmacogenetic CYP2D6 variability and anticholinergic burden in older adults - results from the ActiFE study.

Family caregivers of patients with advanced cancer receiving palliative care may experience a range of challenges that disrupt their usual lifestyle and impact their overall health, such as burnout, exhaustion, anxiety [], depression [], diminished quality of life [], or poor quality of sleep. Sleep quality refers to an individual’s subjective satisfaction with the restorative nature of their sleep, encompassing factors such as feeling refreshed upon waking, the duration of uninterrupted sleep, and the efficiency of sleep cycles throughout the night []. In addition, sleep quality plays a pivotal role in regulating various metabolic and physiological functions within the body []. Nonetheless, the quality of sleep may be prejudiced by social situations that provoke stress [], problems with physical health [], mental health disorders [], or simply physiological aging []. For this reason, the prevalence of sleep-related problems is a significant concern, with nearly half of the population reporting such problems []. Caring for a family member with a terminal illness often leads to significant disruptions in sleep quality among caregivers, primarily due to emotional stress, physical demands, and the ongoing need for vigilance. Research indicates that family caregivers of terminally ill patients, especially those with cancer, frequently report poor sleep quality as they experience high levels of emotional distress and physical fatigue, both of which impact their ability to achieve restful sleep. For instance, caregivers' sleep quality worsened as the patient’s death approached, with increased rates of awakenings and shorter sleep durations due to caregiving responsibilities and emotional strain []. Another study with caregivers of cancer patients showed that 72.2% experienced poor sleep, citing emotional distress and financial worries as primary reasons for disturbed sleep []. Poor quality sleep can provoke many problems, including acute or chronic insomnia or insufficient total sleep time [], and provoke many physical and mental alterations, such as heightening the risk of falls [], aggravating the risk of gestational diabetes [], provoking alterations to the lipid profile [], or even giving rise to suicidal ideas []. Given these considerations, it is of vital importance to achieve and maintain good sleep quality.