Prevalence Rates Of Fatigue Research Articles

Prevalence and determinants of fatigue in patients with IBD: a cross-sectional survey from the GETAID.

Fatigue is commonly reported by patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), but the determinants of IBD-related fatigue have yet to be determined. To identify the factors associated with fatigue in a large population of patients with IBD. Fatigue and nine other IBD-related disability dimensions were assessed in a cohort of 1704 consecutive patients with IBD using the IBD-disk questionnaire in a cross-sectional survey of 42 French and Belgian centers. Fatigue and severe fatigue were defined as energy subscores >5 and >7, respectively. Determinants of fatigue were assessed using univariate and multivariate analyses (odds ratios (ORs) are provided with 95% confidence intervals). The prevalence rates of fatigue and severe fatigue were 54.1% and 37.1%, respectively. Both fatigue and severe fatigue were significantly higher in patients with active disease than in patients with inactive disease (64.9% vs. 44.7% and 47.4% vs. 28.6%, respectively; p<0.001 for both comparisons). In the multivariate analysis stratified by age, sex, type of IBD and IBD activity, fatigue was associated with age >40 years (OR=0.71 [0.54-0.93]), female sex (OR=1.48 [1.13-1.93]), IBD-related sick leave (OR=1.61 (1.19-2.16]), and joint pain (OR=1.60 [1.17-2.18]), abdominal pain (OR=1.78 [1.29-2.45]), regulating defecation (OR=1.67 [1.20-2.32]), education and work (OR=1.96 [1.40-2.75]), body image (OR=1.38 [1.02-1.86]), sleep (OR=3.60 [2.66-4.88]) and emotions (OR=3.60 [2.66-4.88]) subscores > 5. Determinants of fatigue are not restricted to IBD-related factors but also include social factors, sleep, and emotional disturbances, thus supporting a holistic approach to IBD patient care.

How common is fatigue across chronic health conditions in children and young people? A systematic review

Fatigue is a common experience for adults with chronic health conditions. Less is understood about the prevalence of fatigue in the paediatric population. This review aimed to synthesise what is known about the point prevalence of fatigue across chronic health conditions within children and young people. Three databases were searched, from January 2000 to July 2021, to identify studies reporting prevalence rates in chronic health conditions in under 18s. Methodological quality was assessed with a modified version of the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale for Cross-Sectional Studies. Twenty-five studies were included. Variations in the assessment of fatigue, across a range of conditions, and heterogenous reporting of prevalence precluded meaningful meta-analysis and so narrative synthesis was completed. Discrepancies in prevalence reports were noted within and across conditions and between child and parent reports but showed fatigue to be more prevalent in those with chronic health conditions compared to healthy peers. Despite discrepancy in prevalence rates of fatigue, some level of fatigue is present across chronic health conditions and tends to be higher in this population compared to healthy peers. Limitations alongside clinical implications and recommendations for future research are discussed.

How common is fatigue across chronic health conditions in children and young people? A systematic review

Fatigue is a common experience for adults with chronic health conditions. Less is understood about the prevalence of fatigue in the paediatric population. This review aimed to synthesise what is known about the point prevalence of fatigue across chronic health conditions within children and young people. Three databases were searched, from January 2000 to July 2021, to identify studies reporting prevalence rates in chronic health conditions in under 18s. Methodological quality was assessed with a modified version of the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale for Cross-Sectional Studies. Twenty-five studies were included. Variations in the assessment of fatigue, across a range of conditions, and heterogenous reporting of prevalence precluded meaningful meta-analysis and so narrative synthesis was completed. Discrepancies in prevalence reports were noted within and across conditions and between child and parent reports but showed fatigue to be more prevalent in those with chronic health conditions compared to healthy peers. Despite discrepancy in prevalence rates of fatigue, some level of fatigue is present across chronic health conditions and tends to be higher in this population compared to healthy peers. Limitations alongside clinical implications and recommendations for future research are discussed.

Patient-reported Outcomes of Acupuncture for Symptom Control in Cancer

Acupuncture is increasingly offered as a treatment option for managing cancer-related symptoms. In addition to randomized controlled trials, patient-reported outcomes may be needed to establish treatment effectiveness. This study retrospectively examined the symptoms and the satisfaction ratings of 90 patients receiving acupuncture at an integrative oncology clinic. At least two acupuncture sessions were completed by 72% of the sample. The prevalence rates of fatigue, pain, anxiety, physical distress, emotional distress, and poor quality of life before acupuncture were > 62%. Paired t tests revealed a significant reduction in symptoms from baseline until after the first acupuncture session and after the last session (p < 0.05). Fewer (21%) patients reported nausea, which was significantly reduced after the first session, but not the last session. Reductions represented clinically meaningful differences in 33–41% of patients after the first session and in 41–53% of patients after the last session for all symptoms, except nausea. A small subset of patients (0–8%) reported worsening symptoms after acupuncture. The majority were satisfied with the service. The results of this study suggest that acupuncture may be useful as an adjunct treatment for cancer symptom management. While high-quality trials are still needed to establish the treatment's efficacy, patients may benefit from these primarily safe, low-cost services.

Determining the nature and impact of fatigue after liver transplantation

For the past 20 years, a number of publications have described the success of liver transplantation (LT) in terms of patient and graft survival. In turn, a sizable body of literature has demonstrated that significant improvements in health-related quality of life (HRQL) result from LT when compared to preoperative states affected by end-stage liver disease. In the majority of reports, however, the average HRQL for a group of LT recipients (both shortand long-term) is still reduced when compared to ageand sex-matched general population data. While symptoms including pruritus and hepatic encephalopathy often contribute to poor HRQL and subsequently resolve with LT, a similar explanation for the symptom of fatigue is not as easily proposed. Natural history and controlled trial investigations described the presence of fatigue in a majority of patients with various chronic liver diseases. Primary biliary cirrhosis and chronic hepatitis C have been the most common etiologies studied. Further investigation reveals that fatigue is often independent of hepatic disease severity but usually intensifies with progressive liver failure. Alterations in central neurotransmission, impaired corticotrophin-releasing hormone response, and systemic cytokine release have been hypothesized yet remain unproven as putative mechanisms. Fatigue after LT has also been described in a number of investigations to date. The natural history of this symptom, however, remains uncertain. Among patients undergoing LT for cholestatic liver disease, the presence of significant fatigue was commonly observed among recipients for up to 1 year after LT. Similar findings were noted from a multicenter database report of 346 patients undergoing LT for various etiologies of chronic liver disease. Determining the frequency and severity of fatigue in this population, however, has not been performed to date. In this month’s edition of Liver Transplantation, van den Berg-Emons and colleagues present a cross-sectional investigation examining the frequency and risk factors associated with fatigue after LT. A total of 96 recipients (45 men and 51 women) comprised the study cohort. The major hepatic disease etiologies for which LT was performed included viral (25%) and cholestatic (24%) etiologies. Only 6% of patients were transplanted for alcoholic liver disease. Exclusion criteria were noted for severe concomitant medical conditions (specific details unknown) or LT within 3 weeks of study enrollment. The nature and severity of fatigue was assessed using the Fatigue Severity Score (FSS) and Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory-20 instruments, which are known for excellent reliability and validity. Level of perceived disability was characterized by the Sickness Impact Profile, which has been previously used in patients with liver disease undergoing transplantation. Finally, the Dutch version of the Short-Form 36 health survey was administered to assess the level of association between fatigue severity and health-related quality of life. In this study, the prevalence rate of fatigue was 66% (defined by FSS scores 1 standard deviation above the mean score in healthy individuals). An estimated 44% of LT recipients had severe involvement with fatigue (defined by an FSS score 2 standard deviations beyond the mean). In this cohort, the presence of reduced physical function and low activity level were strongly associated with self-reported fatigue. Risk factors in-

Assessment and treatment of HIV-related fatigue.

Fatigue, a common presenting complaint in primary care, is described as a lack of energy, sleepiness, tiredness, exhaustion, an inability to get enough rest, or weakness. Thus, fatigue affects quality of life. The prevalence rate of fatigue among patients with HIV infection is estimated to be 20% to 60%, and as the disease worsens, fatigue may become even more prevalent. The causes of HIV-related fatigue may be multifactorial and may include lack of rest or exercise, or improper or inadequate diet; psychological stress including depression and anxiety; the use of recreational substances; anemia; abnormalities of the thyroid gland and hypogonadism; infections; side effects of medications; sleep disturbances; and fever. This article reviews the common causes of HIV-related fatigue and briefly discusses options for reducing fatigue.

CONTINUING EDUCATION OFFERING: Assessment and Treatment of HIV-Related Fatigue

Fatigue, a common presenting complaint in primary care, is described as a lack of energy, sleepiness, tiredness, exhaustion, an inability to get enough rest, or weakness. Thus, fatigue affects quality of life. The prevalence rate of fatigue among patients with HIV infection is estimated to be 20% to 60%, and as the disease worsens, fatigue may become even more prevalent. The causes of HIV-related fatigue may be multifactorial and may include lack of rest or exercise, or improper or inadequate diet; psychological stress including depression and anxiety; the use of recreational substances; anemia; abnormalities of the thyroid gland and hypogonadism; infections; side effects of medications; sleep disturbances; and fever. This article reviews the common causes of HIV-related fatigue and briefly discusses options for reducing fatigue.

Patient perception of fatigue while undergoing long-term mechanical ventilation: Incidence and associated factors

OBJECTIVE: To describe a chronically critically ill population of patients receiving long-term ventilatory assistance, including patient perception of fatigue and the associated factors of nutritional status, depression, and sleep-rest. DESIGN: Prospective, descriptive correlational design. SETTING: Two tertiary care, university-affiliated medical centers. SUBJECTS: Twenty subjects who were undergoing mechanical ventilation for at least 7 days and who were in the process of weaning. RESULTS: Descriptive, correlational, and t test statistics were used in the data analysis. There was a 100% prevalence rate of fatigue, and with a 10-cm visual analogue scale, 45% of the subjects rated their fatigue as severe (≥ 6.0 cm) in intensity. The sample's mean serum albumin was 2.7 gm/dl, and mean hemoglobin was 10.1 gm/dl, but there were no statistically significant relationships between fatigue and nutritional status. Subjects' depression scores were in the moderate range, and they evaluated their sleep as fragmented and only moderately effective. Fatigue and depression were strongly correlated ( r = 0.61; p = 0.004); there were no statistically significant relationships between fatigue and the sleep-rest scales. CONCLUSIONS: The descriptive findings suggest that patients receiving long-term ventilatory assistance are undernourished and experience fatigue, depressed mood state, and disruptions of their sleep-rest patterns.