EXPLANATORY FACTORS AND PREDICTORS OF FATIGUE IN PERSONS WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS: A LONGITUDINAL STUDY

• Objective: To investigate the impact of disease-related aspects on long-term variations in fatigue in persons with rheumatoid arthritis. Methods: Sixty-five persons with rheumatoid arthritis, age range 20-65 years, were invited to a clinical examination at 4 time-points during the 4 seasons. Outcome measures were: general fatigue rated on visual analogue scale (0-100) and aspects of fatigue assessed by the Bristol Rheumatoid Arthritis Fatigue Multidimensional Questionnaire. Diseaserelated variables were: disease activity (erythrocyte sedimentation rate), pain threshold (pressure algometer), physical capacity (six-minute walk test), pain (visual analogue scale (0-100)), depressive mood (Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale, depression subscale), personal factors (age, sex, body mass index) and season. Multivariable regression analysis, linear mixed effects models were applied. Results: The strongest explanatory factors for all fatigue outcomes, when recorded at the same time-point as fatigue, were pain threshold and depressive mood. Self-reported pain was an explanatory factor for physical aspects of fatigue and body mass index contributed to explaining the consequences of fatigue on everyday living. For predicting later fatigue pain threshold and depressive mood were the strongest predictors. Conclusion: Pain threshold and depressive mood were the most important factors for fatigue in persons with rheumatoid arthritis.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Reumatologi och inflammation (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Rheumatology and Autoimmunity (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

fatigue

rheumatoid arthritis

longitudinal study

outcome assessment

physical-activity

disease-activity

pain

fibromyalgia

sleep

inflammation

association

reliability

sensitivity

perspective

Rehabilitation

Sport Sciences

fatigue

Publikations- och innehållstyp

ref (ämneskategori)

art (ämneskategori)