Abstract
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a rheumatic disease characterized by a variety of symptoms, especially fatigue and pain. Currently there is no effective pharmacological treatment for fatigue in SLE. Research suggests that exercise can reduce feelings of fatigue. Aim: to examine the effects of exercise intervention on fatigue level among patients with SLE. Methods: A quasi-experimental (pre-post test) design was used. The study was conducted at the Chronic Illness Clinics in Menoufia University Hospital, at Shebin El-Kom district, Menoufia Governorate. A convenient sample of 70 patients was recruited. Tools: A Semi Structured Demographic Sheet; Piper Fatigue Scale to assess fatigue level. Results: There was a statistically significant difference between the study and the control group regarding fatigue level post intervention, 54.3% and 40% of the study and the control groups respectively experienced severe fatigue pre intervention compared with 17.1% and 31.4% post intervention. Also, there was a relationship between fatigue level and gender as well as educational level among the study group. Conclusion: Fatigue should be considered as an important factor influencing patient daily life independent of disease activity. Recommendations: Prepare training programs for nurses about the importance of adding exercise to patient’s schedule for the reduction of fatigue among patients with SLE along with the routine hospital care.
Highlights
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic multisystem autoimmune disease with a wide range of laboratory and clinical features
The findings of the current study are similar to what was reported by del Pino-Sedeño et al [47,48] who concluded that aerobic exercise appears effective in reducing fatigue in individuals with SLE
Fatigue should be considered as an important factor influencing patient daily life independent of disease activity
Summary
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic multisystem autoimmune disease with a wide range of laboratory and clinical features. There is evidence that the clinical features of SLE such as disease activity and inflammation [2] as well as co-morbid conditions such as anemia, hypothyroidism and fibromyalgia are thought to contribute to fatigue. The relationship between disease activity and fatigue has been examined in eighty-one patients with SLE by Tayer et al, [5]. Participants underwent a clinical evaluation with the Systemic Lupus Activity Measure and completed self-reported questionnaires on psychosocial data, depression, feelings of helplessness and fatigue. The findings indicated that SLE disease status predicted fatigue at two different time points in the longitudinal analysis, independent of depression and helplessness, by using hierarchical multiple regression analyses
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