Fatigue Assessment Scale Research Articles

Satisfaction with life and its predictive factors in a cohort of fathers 24-months postpartum

Satisfaction with life is considered an essential indicator of quality of life and has implications not only for parents but also for the general health of society. It is relevant to know the factors that could explain differences in parents’ satisfaction with life. The objectives of this study were to analyse the degree of satisfaction with life of a cohort of fathers 13–24 months after the birth of their child and to analyse the predictive capacity of sociodemographic, physical, psychological, and social factors on their long-term life satisfaction. This was a longitudinal study with follow-up at 6–12 months and at 13–24 months (n = 152 fathers). The Fatigue Assessment Scale, Athens Insomnia Scale, Parental Stress Scale and short version of the Dyadic Adjustment Scale were completed online at 6–12 months. Finally, Satisfaction with Life Scale was assessed between 13 and 24 months after birth. The mean score of life satisfaction of the participants 13–24 months after the birth of their child was 18.72 (SD = 3.71) and was negatively correlated with fatigue, insomnia, and stress (p < 0.01), and positively correlated with dyadic adjustment (p < 0.01). The final hierarchical regression model showed that educational levels and insomnia were the main predictive variables for life satisfaction during the second-year postpartum. This work has important implications for clinical practice because it allows health professionals to understand the factors influencing satisfaction with life and health among fathers and to plan more effective antenatal and postnatal care.

Using Inspiratory Muscle Training to Improve Respiratory Strength, Functional Capacity, Fatigue, and Stress in Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Surgery.

The main aim of the trial was to assess the effectiveness of inspiratory muscle training on respiratory muscle strength, functional capacity, fatigue, and stress in post-surgical breast cancer survivors. Forty-seven females who had undergone unilateral post-mastectomy were randomly assigned to an intervention group (IG; n = 24) and a control group (CG; n = 23). Both groups received aerobic exercise training. In addition, the intervention group received inspiratory muscle training 3 days a week for 8 weeks. Maximum inspiratory and expiratory pressure (Pimax) (Pemex), 6-minute walk test, Handgrip strength by hand-held dynamometer, Fatigue Assessment Scale (FAS), and Perceived Stress Scale pss 10 values were measured before the training and then at the eighth week for both groups. No differences were detected between the groups in terms of sample and clinical characteristics 8 weeks post-intervention. In favor of the intervention group, a significant difference with medium to high effect size was found in terms of Pimax, Pemax, FAS, PS, and 6MWT (p < 0.05). However, there was no difference in terms of handgrip strength (p-value: 0.072), with a medium effect size (0.070). Regarding within-group comparisons, IG exhibited substantial differences in all outcome measures (p < 0.05) compared to CG, with the exception of PImax and 6MWT. In post-operative breast cancer survivors, respiratory muscle training combined with aerobic training increases respiratory muscle strength and functional ability while lowering stress and tiredness.

The relationship between fatigue, pruritus, and thirst distress with quality of life among patients receiving hemodialysis: a mediator model to test concept of treatment adherence.

Hemodialysis is a conservative treatment for end-stage renal disease. It has various complications which negatively affect quality of life (QOL). This study aimed to examine the relationship between fatigue, pruritus, and thirst distress (TD) with QOL of patients receiving hemodialysis, while also considering the mediating role of treatment adherence (TA). This cross-sectional study was carried out in 2023 on 411 patients receiving hemodialysis. Participants were consecutively recruited from several dialysis centers in Iran. Data were collected using a demographic information form, the Fatigue Assessment Scale, the Thirst Distress Scale, the Pruritus Severity Scale, the 12-Item Short Form Health Survey, and the modified version of the Greek Simplified Medication Adherence Questionnaire for Hemodialysis Patients. Covariance-based structural equation modeling was used for data analysis. The structural model and hypothesis testing results showed that all hypotheses were supported in this study. QOL had a significant inverse association with fatigue, pruritus, and TD and a significant positive association with TA. TA partially mediated the association of QOL with fatigue, pruritus, and TD, denoting that it helped counteract the negative association of these complications on QOL. This model explained 68.5% of the total variance of QOL. Fatigue, pruritus, and TD have a negative association with QOL among patients receiving hemodialysis, while TA reduces these negative associations. Therefore, TA is greatly important to manage the associations of these complications and improve patient outcomes. Healthcare providers need to assign high priority to TA improvement among these patients to reduce their fatigue, pruritus, and TD and improve their QOL. Further studies are necessary to determine the most effective strategies for improving TA and reducing the burden of complications in this patient population.

Network Analysis of Sexual Well-Being in Women with Heart Failure: The Psychocardiological Perspective.

Sexuality is an important sphere of every person's life. Sexual dysfunctions and sexual dissatisfaction may also be present in cardiac diseases. Individuals affected by heart failure (HF) deserve special attention since it can be the final stage of many cardiac diseases. Therefore, it is important to verify potential correlates of sexual well-being in individuals with HF. This study was conducted online between 2019 and 2023, and 262 Polish women aged between 18 and 59 years (M = 45.48; SD = 7.65) participated in it. The Short Sexual Well-Being Scale, Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale, Fatigue Assessment Scale, and authors' questionnaire were used. Relationships between tested variables were verified with the use of network analysis performed with the EBICglasso estimator. Centrality assessment showed that sexual well-being had the highest values of betweenness, closeness and degree, followed by fatigue and depression measures. Sexual well-being was negatively related to the number of declared sexual dysfunctions, fatigue, stress and depression levels. Participants' age and HF duration were not related to the sexual well-being of tested women. Multiple additional partial correlations were detected. The obtained results show that sexuality may be a central sphere of life in women with HF and that one's sexuality should not be negated when working with cardiac patients.

The Significance of Selected Myokines in Predicting the Length of Rehabilitation of Patients after COVID-19 Infection.

In the context of the global COVID-19 pandemic, understanding the intricate mechanisms of the body's response to infection and inflammation has become a priority for the medical and research communities. It has been proven that during COVID-19 infection, molecules are secreted-namely organokines, which may directly or indirectly play a role in the pathophysiology of COVID-19. The objective of this study was to scrutinize the potential correlation between the levels of selected myokines (myostatin, agrin, irisin, and myonectin) and the duration of rehabilitation in post-COVID-19 patients. Additionally, the study aimed to investigate whether there is a correlation between the levels of these myokines and the length of hospitalization during COVID-19 treatment. The study was conducted at the Rehabilitation Hospital in Szczecin (Poland). Patients in the study participated in a comprehensive rehabilitation program following COVID-19 treatment. In order to assess the effectiveness of rehabilitation, the following tests were performed: a 6 min walk test with an assessment of exercise tolerance (Borg scale), an assessment of dyspnea severity (mMRC scale), a spirometric assessment of respiratory function, a measurement of arm strength, and an assessment of fatigue using the Fatigue Assessment Scale (FAS). Myokine levels were measured using commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) according to the manufacturer's instructions. Statistical analysis was performed using Statistica 13.1 software. Lower concentrations of irisin and myonectin and higher concentrations of myostatin correlated with longer rehabilitation time. Baseline levels of specific myokines in post-COVID-19 patients could play a crucial role in anticipating the duration of rehabilitation. The duration of hospitalization for the infection may influence myokine levels in patients recovering from COVID-19.

Correlation of negative emotion, fatigue level and internet addiction in college students: implication for coping strategies

BackgroundInternet addiction has an important influence on the development of physical and mental health of college students. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the current status and the correlation between college students’ negative emotion, fatigue level and Internet addiction disorder, and to provide reference for the care and management of college students.MethodsWe conducted a questionnaire survey on a cluster sample of college students from October to November 15, 2022. Internet addiction scale, fatigue assessment scale and positive and negative emotion scale were used for survey. Pearson correlation analysis and mediating effect test were performed to analyze the correlation and effects.ResultsA total of 1546 valid questionnaires were collected. The incidence of internet addiction in college student was 20.38%. The total score of internet addiction was 52.94 ± 12.47, the total fatigue score was 69.27 ± 3.19, the score of positive emotion of college students was 31. 41 ± 5.09, and the negative emotion score was 18.54 ± 5.68. The total score of internet addiction were positively correlated with score of negative emotion (all P < 0. 05). The total score of internet addiction scale of college students were positively correlated and each factor score of with the score of fatigue severity (all P < 0. 05). Fatigue played an intermediary role in the prediction of negative emotion and internet addiction of college students, with an intermediary role of-0.433, accounting for 76.35% of the total effect.ConclusionThe college students’ positive emotion may be strengthened to reduce their fatigue level and negative emotion so as to reduce internet addiction.

IJCM_296A: Assessment of burden of Long Covid, and it's determinants among patients with Long Covid in the rural community in Bengaluru Rural District – A community based cross sectional study.

Background: Longer-term consequences after SARS-CoV-2 infection are becoming an important burden to societies and healthcare systems. Long COVID-19 and post COVID-19 conditions are terms used clinically to describe ongoing or new symptoms that occur beyond 12 weeks of recovery from an acute infection, that cannot be explained by an alternative medical diagnosis. It is now understood that COVID-19 can impact on multiple organ systems, which can lead to a diverse range of persistent symptoms including fatigue, breathlessness, cough, loss of taste and/or smell, myalgia, memory issues and gastrointestinal problems. Very few studies have been conducted globally to assess the burden of Long Covid which are in hospital setting and none published in Karnataka state. This community based cross sectional study intends to bridge the gap in existing evidence pool and to influence evidence-based policy decisions at local administrative level. Objectives: To assess the prevalence of Long covid among people infected with COVID-19 in rural community Bengaluru rural district. Methodology: Community based cross sectional study was conducted between October 2023 to November 2023 in Orohalli &amp; Jadigenahalli Panchayaths of Hoskote Taluk. After obtaining written and informed consent from the participants, all adults &gt; 18years of age residing in identified villages, with COVID-19 RTPCR positive status, tested at least 12 weeks/ 3 months prior to the date of interviewed using a prevalidated questionare and Fatigue Assessment Scale. Data is analysed using SPSS trial version 21. Results: 420 participants were interviewed in 17 villages. Mean period between date of COVID positivity to date of interview was 490 days. 27 (6.4%) participants reported residual symptoms from COVID 19 infection suggestive of Long Covid. Majority of them complained of fatigue. Out 25 respondents with fatigue, 18 people had a score &gt; 22 on FAS, indicative of clinical fatigue. Older age &gt;60years, female gender, and ICU admission during infection, were associated with higher prevalence of long covid and are statistically significant (p value&lt; 0.05) Conclusion: It is essential to determine the burden of longer-term consequences of SARS-CoV-2 infection and the needs of affected individuals, to successfully plan healthcare services and efficiently allocate public health resources.

Association of Fatigue Level and Physical Activity among University Students: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Background: Fatigue is a common complaint among adults worldwide, with an estimated 20% experiencing persistent symptoms. Physical activity is recognized as a beneficial behavior with the potential to alleviate feelings of fatigue and enhance energy levels. However, the relationship between physical activity and fatigue among university students remains underexplored. Objective: This study aimed to assess the association between physical activity levels and fatigue among university students, providing insights into the potential of physical activity as a non-pharmacological intervention for fatigue mitigation. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at the University of Lahore's Islamabad campus, involving 206 participants aged 17 to 25 years. After securing approval from the Institutional Review Committee (IRC)/Ethical Review Board (ERB), data were collected using the Fatigue Assessment Scale (FAS) and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). The sample size was determined using the Slovin formula, with a confidence interval of 95% and a margin of error of 0.05. Non-probability convenience sampling was employed. Data analysis utilized SPSS version 25, employing Chi-square tests to examine the association between physical activity levels and fatigue. Results: The study comprised 41.3% male and 58.7% female participants. Results indicated that higher levels of physical activity were associated with lower levels of fatigue. Specifically, 38.8% of participants reported no fatigue, 54.9% reported mild to moderate fatigue, and 6.3% reported severe fatigue. Physical activity status revealed that 18.9% of participants had low, 48.1% had moderate, and 33% had high levels of physical activity. The Chi-square test demonstrated a significant association between physical activity levels and fatigue (X² = 23.13, P = 0.00). Conclusion: The findings underscore a significant inverse relationship between physical activity levels and fatigue among university students, suggesting that engaging in higher levels of physical activity may reduce fatigue levels. This study contributes to the understanding of physical activity as a viable approach to fatigue management in young adults.

Effect of lactoferrin treatment on symptoms and physical performance in long COVID patients: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Long COVID is a heterogeneous condition with a variety of symptoms that persist at least 3 months after SARS-CoV-2 infection, often with a profound impact on quality of life. Lactoferrin is an iron-binding glycoprotein with anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties. Current hypotheses regarding long COVID aetiology include ongoing immune activation, viral persistence and auto-immune dysregulation. Therefore, we hypothesised that long COVID patients may potentially benefit from lactoferrin treatment. The aims of the present study were to investigate the effect of lactoferrin on various long COVID domains: fatigue, anxiety, depression, cognitive failure and muscle strength. We performed a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in long COVID patients aged 18-70 years within 12 months after proven SARS-CoV-2 infection. Patients were randomised (1:1) to 6 weeks of lactoferrin (1200 mg daily) or placebo. At three hospital visits (T0, T6 and T12 weeks), patient-reported outcome measures were collected, physical performance tests were performed and blood was drawn. The difference in fatigue at T6 was the primary outcome. 72 participants were randomised to lactoferrin (n=36) or placebo (n=36). We found a significant decrease in fatigue, as measured with the Fatigue Assessment Scale, between T0 and T6 in both study arms, but without significant difference between the study arms (lactoferrin: 3.9, 95% CI 2.3-5.5, p=0.007; placebo: 4.1, 95% CI 2.3-5.9, p=0.013). No significant differences were found in any of the other outcomes in favour of the lactoferrin arm at T6 or T12. Although both long COVID arms showed improved clinical outcomes at T6, the improvement did not continue until T12. Lactoferrin provided no benefit in terms of fatigue, other patient-reported outcome measures or physical functioning.

Prevalence of Hamstring Strain and Association with Fatigue among Domestic Cricketers in Lahore Pakistan

Background: Hamstring strains are a common injury among athletes, particularly affecting those involved in sports requiring high-speed running and abrupt movements, such as cricket. The association between these injuries and factors like fatigue has been of particular interest within the sports medicine community, aiming to enhance injury prevention and management strategies. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of hamstring strains and their association with fatigue among domestic cricketers in Lahore, Pakistan, providing insights into effective strategies for injury prevention and management in this athletic population. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2022 to May 2023 among 82 domestic cricketers in Lahore, using non-probability convenient sampling. Participants underwent assessments including the Functional Assessment Scale for Acute Hamstring Injuries (FASH) and the Fatigue Assessment Scale (FAS), alongside demographic and physical fitness data collection. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics Version 25, with the chi-square test applied to evaluate the association between hamstring strain and fatigue. Results: The average age of participants was 26.68±1.395 years, with the majority (81.7%) having a normal BMI. About 28.0% of the athletes reported hamstring strains, with varying degrees of pain from mild to severe. The chi-square test indicated a significant association between hamstring strains and fatigue (p&lt;0.001), highlighting fatigue as a key factor in the occurrence of hamstring injuries among cricketers. Conclusion: The study underscores the significant prevalence of hamstring strains among domestic cricketers in Lahore and their association with fatigue. These findings emphasize the necessity for targeted interventions focusing on fatigue management to mitigate the risk of such injuries, thereby enhancing athlete health and performance sustainability.

Can inflammatory plasma proteins predict Long COVID or Fatigue severity after SARS-CoV-2 infection?

ObjectiveTo investigate whether specific immune response plasma proteins can predict an elevated risk of developing Long COVID symptoms or fatigue severity after SARS-CoV-2 infection. MethodsThis study was based on 257 outpatients with test-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection between February 2020 and January 2021. At least 12 weeks after the acute infection, 92 plasma proteins were measured using the Olink Target 96 immune response panel (median time between acute infection and venous blood sampling was 38.8 [IQR: 24.0–48.0] weeks). The presence of Long COVID symptoms and fatigue severity was assessed 115.8 [92.5–118.6] weeks after the acute infection by a follow-up postal survey. Long COVID (yes/no) was defined as having one or more of the following symptoms: fatigue, shortness of breath, concentration or memory problems. The severity of fatigue was assessed using the Fatigue Assessment Scale (FAS). In multivariable-adjusted logistic and linear regression models the associations between each plasma protein (exposure) and Long COVID (yes/no) or severity of fatigue were investigated. ResultsNine plasma proteins were significantly associated with Long COVID before, but not after adjusting for multiple testing (FDR-adjustment): DFFA, TRIM5, TRIM21, HEXIM1, SRPK2, PRDX5, PIK3AP1, IFNLR1 and HCLS1. Moreover, a total of 10 proteins were significantly associated with severity of fatigue before FDR-adjustment: SRPK2, ITGA6, CLEC4G, HEXIM1, PPP1R9B, PLXNA4, PRDX5, DAPP1, STC1 and HCLS1. Only SRPK2 and ITGA6 remained significantly associated after FDR-adjustment. ConclusionsThis study demonstrates that certain immune response plasma proteins might play an important role in the pathophysiology of Long COVID and severity of fatigue after SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Fatigue in healthcare workers with mild COVID-19 survivors in Indonesia.

Persistent symptoms after the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19, known as post-COVID syndrome (PCS), presented an ongoing health burden among COVID-19 survivors, including health workers. The existence of fatigue in mild COVID-19 survivors has not been widely reported. The aim of this study was to present the symptoms of fatigue in healthcare workers who experienced mild COVID-19 and the factors associated with fatigue. A cross-sectional study was conducted at H. Adam Malik General Hospital in Medan, Indonesia, from September to December 2022, included doctors, nurses, ancillary workers, and medical support workers who experienced mild COVID-19. Fatigue was measured by a fatigue assessment scale (FAS). The assessed possible risk factors were gender, age, vaccination history, comorbid, presence of PCS, duration of PCS symptoms, and number of PCS symptoms. The Chi-squared or Fisher's exact tests were used to assess the association between the incidence of fatigue and risk factors. A total of 100 healthcare workers of mild COVID-19 survivors were included. Most of them were nurses (58%), women (81%), and aged 19-30 years old (36%). The majority had incomplete vaccination history (64%), experienced PCS (71%), no comorbidities (61%), and experienced <3 months of PCS symptoms (55%). Mild to moderate fatigue was found in 23% of healthcare workers and only 1% experienced severe fatigue. No significant association was found between gender, vaccination history, and comorbidities with the incidence of fatigue. However, a significant association was observed between age (p=0.021), the presence of PCS (p=0.041), and the number of PCS symptoms (p=0.047) with fatigue incidence. Furthermore, there were significant associations between symptoms of PCS (confusion (p=0.004), insomnia (p=0.001), myalgia (p=0.035), arthralgia (p=0.028), throat pain (p=0.042), headache (p=0.042), and chest pain (p=0.011)) with fatigue. These findings can contribute to providing the necessary support for mild COVID-19 survivors and persistent fatigue.

Analysis of neuropsychological and laboratory parameters in patients with cerebrovascular disease and SARS-CoV-2 compared to those without SARS-CoV-2

Background. Severe acute respiratory syndrome сoronavіrus 2 (SARS-CoV-2, formerly known as 2019-nCoV) is the cause of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and was first reported in Wuhan, China. However, it is also contagious to humans and spreads rapidly around the world through close contact between infected people or through a relatively simple transmission mechanism (airborne transmission). COVID-19 is known to affect almost all systems of the human body. Initial reports suggest that hypertension may be a risk factor for susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection, a more severe course of COVID-19, and increased mortality associated with COVID-19. It is estimated that 1–3 % of COVID-19 patients experience transient ischemic attacks with a frequency similar to other coronavirus infections (SARS-CoV-1 and MERS-CoV). The cause of ischemic stroke associated with COVID-19 is unknown, but previous studies have suggested that an inflammatory cytokine storm may cause hypercoagulation and endothelial damage. We see that COVID-19 is closely related to neurological complications because there are potential factors that can cause them. Materials and methods. Cerebrovascular diseases were analyzed in 111 patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 (n = 71) and those without a history of SARS-CoV-2 (n = 40). The subject of the study was neuropsychological and laboratory indicators. The following methods were used: psychometric — Beck Anxiety Inventory, Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, Fatigue Assessment Scale; neuropsychological — Mini-Mental State Examination, Montreal Cognitive Assessment, Frontal Assessment Battery; clinical — neurological status; polymerase chain reaction to detect COVID-19 RNA; statistical methods. Results. In patients who suffered transient ischemic attack and ischemic stroke with a minimal neurological deficit and COVID-19, there were elevations in the erythrocyte sedimentation rate, leukocytes, segmented neutrophils, while an increase in C-reactive protein was noted in all participants with cerebrovascular disease and COVID-19, with more significant levels among those with ischemic stroke. All subgroups with COVID-19 showed an increase in D-dimer and fibrinogen with higher content in patients after ischemic stroke. Also in this subgroup, the procalcitonin index exceeded the norm, which indicates the severity of the course of COVID-19 with the addition of co-infection. Data of neuropsychological tests in patients with ischemic stroke with a minimal neurological deficit with SARS-CoV-2 revealed a decrease in the Montreal Cognitive Assessment score, indicating mild cognitive changes in these patients. The level of anxiety in patients with hypertension with frequent crises and ischemic stroke with a minimal neurological deficit was above the reference values, with a slight predominance in patients who did not have COVID-19. It follows that both laboratory and neuropsychological parameters differed in three subgroups depending on cerebrovascular disease, as well as the presence and absence of SARS-CoV-2, which makes it possible to develop more appropriate diagnostic methods in order to predict the course and outcome of COVID-19.

Fatigue and mental health among patients with heart failure in an outpatient setting

Background: Heart failure is a health problem that occurs in the cardiovascular system which globally is the highest cause of death in the world. Heart Failure is a complex clinical syndrome in which the heart cannot pump blood to meet the body's blood circulation needs for tissue metabolism in certain conditions, due to structural or functional damage to the heart chambers. It is usually characterized by excessive blood volume, inadequate tissue perfusion, poor activity tolerance, and usually easily feels tired, orthopnea and edema. The emergence of various clinical symptoms in heart failure patients will cause nursing problems and interfere with basic human needs, one of which is fatigue. Heart failure sufferers have problems with the heart system which results in a lack of blood and oxygen supply to the brain and muscles, so sufferers often experience fatigue to the point of fainting. Purpose: To determine the relationship between the level of fatigue and the mental health of heart failure patients. Method: This type of quantitative research with a design using a cross sectional approach. Carried out at the heart clinic dr. Moewardi Surakarta, Central Java of the regional general hospital from October to December 2023. The population of heart failure sufferers in this study was 186 people, however by using a purposive sampling technique in sampling, a sample of 148 patients was obtained. The inclusion criteria in this study were patients aged &gt;18 years, New York Heart Association (NYHA) class II and class III heart failure patients, while the exclusion criteria were heart failure patients who were unwilling or unable to take part in this study. The instruments used were the fatigue assessment scale (FAS) and depression anxiety and stress scale 21 (DASS-21) questionnaires. Data analysis used univariate and bivariate with the chi square test. Results: The majority of respondents experienced mild fatigue with anxious conditions, 53 people (53.0%). Meanwhile, 47 patients (47.0%) who complained of severe fatigue showed anxiety, 24 people (85.7%), and 12 people (60.0%) felt stressed. The results of the analysis obtained a significant value with a p-value of 0.001 (&lt;0.05) which indicates that H0 was rejected. So there is a relationship between the level of fatigue and mental health conditions in heart failure sufferers. Conclusion: There is a relationship between the level of fatigue and mental health in heart failure patients. The nursing implication that can be implemented is providing education about fatigue so that patients understand the impact it has on heart failure sufferers so that it does not cause mental health problems.

Assessment of functional outcomes, level of fatigue, and risk of sarcopenia in COVID-19 patients at discharge: A cross sectional study

Background: There is emerging evidence with regards to reduced physical performance in patients recovering from COVID- 19 at time of hospital discharge. Assessing various functional parameters at discharge would shed light on the multi-system affection that could be helpful in formulating rehabilitation goals for the patient. Objectives of the study were to assess the physical performance, functional capacity, muscular strength, level of fatigue, and risk of sarcopenia in COVID-19 patients at discharge using short physical performance battery test, 1 minute sit to stand test, grip strength, fatigue assessment scale, SARC-CalF Scale respectively. Methods: This cross-sectional study comprised of 42 patients diagnosed with COVID-19 recruited from a tertiary care hospital. Demographic details and clinical variables were documented. Participants were assessed for physical performance, muscular strength, level of fatigue, functional capacity, and risk of sarcopenia. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 24. Results: The study comprised of 42 participants including 71.43% males (N=30) and 28.57% females (N=12) having mean age of 49.86±15.83 years. Findings of the assessed parameters were as follows: SPPB=7.57±2.84, 1 MSST=13.17±5.79 repetitions, grip strength=19.44±8.38 kg, FAS=19.79±10.83, SARC-CalF score=5.19±4.83. There was a weak positive correlation found between CT severity score and level of fatigue (r=0.325, p=0.036). Conclusions: This study provides a descriptive information about the functional outcomes of COVID -19 patients at discharge which can further be utilized for development of a tailor-made exercise program.

Impact of a private sector residential early parenting program on clinically significant postnatal depressive symptoms experienced by women: Audit of routinely collected data.

Early parenting services in Australia offer brief structured residential programs to address moderate to severe non-psychotic mental health problems among women and unsettled infant/toddler behaviours. The aims were to (1) estimate the immediate and medium-term impact of a five-night psychoeducational residential early parenting program on postpartum depressive symptoms and (2) identify the factors associated with improvement or worsening of postpartum depressive symptoms after completing the program and six weeks post-discharge. Audit of routinely collected medical record data from pre-admission, pre-discharge and post-discharge assessments of a consecutive cohort of women admitted, with their infants/toddlers in a 15-month period to Masada Private Hospital Early Parenting Centre. Data included structured questions assessing: demographic characteristics, access to family and social support, past and current mental health problems, reproductive and obstetric health, chronic health conditions, breastfeeding problems, coincidental major life events, health risk behaviours and infant/toddler feeding, sleeping and crying behaviours. Standardised instruments included the Partner Interaction after Birth Scale (PIBS), the MacLean Screening Instrument for Borderline Personality Disorder (MSI-BPD), Modified Fatigue Assessment Scale (FAS) and selected items from the Karitane Parenting Confidence Scale. The primary outcomes were Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale scores at pre-discharge and follow up assessments. Data were analysed using multinomial logistic regression models in which individual and psychosocial characteristics at pre-admission were included as predictors of the likelihood of the changes of the outcomes from pre-admission to pre-discharge and follow up. Complete data from 1220 of 1290 (95%) eligible women were available to assess pre-admission to pre-discharge and from 559 (45.8%) to assess pre-discharge to six-week follow-up changes. The mean pre-admission EPDS score was 11.7 (95% CI: 11.5; 12.0), pre-discharge it was 7.1 (95% CI: 6.9; 7.4) and at six-week follow up it was 5.7 (95% CI: 5.3; 6.1). We found that almost all women experienced a clinically meaningful and rapid improvement in depressive symptoms of at least this magnitude (reduction in mean EPDS scores of 4.6 points from pre-admission to pre-discharge (five nights) and a further reduction of 1.2 points pre-discharge to follow up) (six weeks) and we identified an interpretable set of risk factors for symptoms that did not improve or worsened. The adverse outcomes were associated with having symptoms of borderline personality disorder, a partner experienced as lacking kindness and care, coincidental adverse events and having a child younger than six months. Residential early parenting programs, which take a psycho-educational approach to strengthening caregiving skills, maximising agency, and reducing helplessness, have a rapid beneficial effect on women's postpartum depressive symptoms. These programs provide a valuable and effective component of comprehensive mental health services. Long-term dialectical behaviour therapy is indicated for women with borderline personality disorder traits for whom early parenting programs alone are insufficient to improve depressive symptoms.

Sleep quality, quality of life, fatigue, and mental health in COVID-19 post-pandemic Türkiye: a cross-sectional study.

This study explores the predictors and associated risk factors of sleep quality, quality of life, fatigue, and mental health among the Turkish population during the COVID-19 post-pandemic period. A cross-sectional survey using multi-stage, stratified random sampling was employed. In total, 3,200 persons were approached. Of these, 2,624 (82%) completed the questionnaire package consisting of socio-demographic information, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the WHO Quality of Life Brief Version (WHOQOL-BREF), Fatigue Assessment Scale (FAS), Patients Health Questionnaire (PHQ-15), GAD-7 anxiety scale, and the 21-item Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale (DASS-21). Significant differences between genders were found regarding socio-demographic characteristics (p < 0.01). Using PHQ-15 for depressive disorders, significant differences were found between normal and high severity scores (≥ 10), regarding age group (p < 0.001), gender (p = 0.049), educational level (p < 0.001), occupational status (p = 0.019), cigarette smoking (p = 0.002), waterpipe-narghile smoking (p = 0.039), and co-morbidity (p = 0.003). The WHOQOL-BREF indicated strong correlations between public health, physical health, psychological status, social relationships, environmental conditions, and sleep disorders (p < 0.01). Furthermore, comparisons of the prevalence of mental health symptoms and sleeping with PHQ-15 scores ≥ 10 (p = 0.039), fatigue (p = 0.012), depression (p = 0.009), anxiety (p = 0.032), stress (p = 0.045), and GAD-7 (p < 0.001), were significantly higher among the mental health condition according to sleeping disorder status. Multiple regression analysis revealed that DASS21 stress (p < 0.001), DASS21 depression (p < 0.001), DASS21 anxiety (p = 0.002), physical health (WHOQOL-BREF) (p = 0.007), patient health depression-PHQ-15 (p = 0.011), psychological health (WHOQOL-BREF) (p = 0.012), fatigue (p = 0.017), and environmental factors (WHOQOL-BREF) (p = 0.041) were the main predictor risk factors associated with sleep when adjusted for gender and age. The current study has shown that sleep quality was associated with the mental health symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress, and fatigue. In addition, insufficient sleep duration and unsatisfactory sleep quality seemed to affect physical and mental health functioning.

Fatigue among Greek Parents of Children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder: The Roles of Spirituality and Social Support.

The high demands of caring for and raising a child with autism spectrum disorder on a daily basis may lead parents to physical and mental fatigue. This study aimed to assess the effect of social support and spirituality on the fatigue of parents with children with autistic spectrum disorder. A cross-sectional study with a convenience sample was conducted in Schools of Special Education in Attica (Greece). The sample consisted of 123 parents who completed The Fatigue Assessment Scale (FAS), the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), and the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy Spiritual Well-Being Scale (FACIT Sp-12) to measure the levels of fatigue, social support, and spirituality, respectively. The Pearson correlation coefficient was used to investigate the relationship between the quantitative variables. To study the effect of social support and spirituality on fatigue, multivariable linear regression was applied. The mean age was 47.3 years old, 81.3% were women, and 38.9% stated "Close/Very close faith toward God". Higher levels of total MSPSS and FACIT Sp-12 were associated with lower total FAS (r = -0.50, p < 0.001 and r = -0.49, p < 0.001, respectively). Social support and spirituality were significant predictors of fatigue.

Fatigue predicts level of community integration in people with stroke

ABSTRACT Background The independent predictive power of fatigue for community integration has not been investigated, although there is an increasing amount of literature that recognizes the importance of fatigue in people with stroke. Objectives To examine the correlation between community integration and fatigue, walking endurance, and fear of falling; and to quantify the relative contribution of fatigue to community integration in people with stroke. Methods This was a cross-sectional study with 75 community-dwelling people with stroke. Data were collected using the Community Integration Measure (CIM), Fatigue Assessment Scale (FAS), 6-minute walk test (6MWT), and Survey of Activities and Fear of Falling in the Elderly (SAFE). Multiple linear regressions (forced entry method) were used to quantify the relative power of the FAS score to predict community integration in a model covering distance in the 6MWT and the SAFE score. Results After controlling for age, the CIM score significantly correlated with the scores for FAS (r=-0.48, p < 0.001), 6MWT distance (r = 0.24, p = 0.039), and SAFE (r=-0.39, p = 0.001). The entire model, including age, FAS score, 6MWT distance, and SAFE score, explained 26.1% of the variance in the CIM scores (F [4, 70] = 7.52, p < 0.001). The FAS scores independently explained 10.6% of the variance in the CIM scores. Conclusions This study suggests that fatigue is an independent predictor of community integration among people with stroke, taking into account walking endurance and fear of falling.

Effects of a randomized-controlled and online-supported physical activity intervention on exercise capacity, fatigue and health related quality of life in patients with post-COVID-19 syndrome

BackgroundThe Post-COVID-19 syndrome (PCS), which can occur after acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection, leads to restrictions in everyday activity. Our study assessed the impact of an online-guided intervention which intended to facilitate physical activity on the mental and physical capability of PCS patients.MethodsWe randomized 62 patients with PCS (20 male/ 42 female; age: 46 ± 12 years; body mass index: 28.7 ± 6.7 kg/m2) with a score ≥ 22 in the fatigue assessment scale (FAS) to a 3-month exercise-focused intervention (IG n = 30) or control period (CG n = 32). We assessed changes in exercise capacity (bicycle exercise test with measurements of gas exchange), fatigue, markers of health-related quality of life (HrQoL) and mental health.ResultsThe FAS score decreased significantly in both study groups (IG: 35.1 ± 7.4 to 31.8 ± 8.5 points; CG: 35.6 ± 7.4 to 32.6 ± 7.5 points, both p < 0.01). Exercise capacity did not increase in the CG or IG (within-group changes for IG: peak oxygen uptake: 0.9 ± 2.6 ml/min/kg, p = 0.098; peak power output: 6.1 ± 17.8 W, p = 0.076) with no significant changes in HrQoL and work ability. Patients with a FAS score at baseline ≥ 35 (severe fatigue) showed no change in exercise capacity with the 3-month intervention whereas the sub-group of patients with FAS < 35 points (moderate fatigue) showed improvements, independent of the study group.ConclusionsOur 3-month intervention seems appropriate for patients with moderate fatigue, whereas those with more severe fatigue appear to be too restricted with respect to their mental or physical health status to perform exercise at a level which is sufficient to improve markers of physical performance.Trial registrationGerman Clinical Trials Register (registration trial number: DRKS00026245) on September 2 2021.