Assessment of fatigue in rheumatoid arthritis

ABSTRACT

This study was carried out to assess the level of fatigue in patients with rheumatoid arthritis [RA] and to determine its Correlation to demographics, psychosocial and disease-related variables. Forty RA patients and 20 matched healthy controls were subjected to thorough clinical assessment, routine laboratory investigations and measurement of serum cortisol level Questionnaires included the Multidimensional Assessment of Fatigue Scale, Sleep Survey, Health Assessment Questionnaire, Social Support List-Interactions, Social Index, State Trait Anxiety Inventory, and Beck Depression Inventory. Our results showed that fatigue scores were significantly higher [P>0.001] in patients with RA than in controls. Fatigue most affected exercise and work. No significant correlations [p<0.05] were found between fatigue and demographic variables but highly significant correlations [p>0.001] were found between fatigue and both psychosocial and disease-related variables. With multiple regression analyses, the best predictors of increased fatigue were higher levels of cortisol, prolongation of morning stiffness, more depressive symptoms, and higher functional disability. Form this study, we concluded that, fatigue was a prevalent and persistent symptom in our RA patients. Effective management is needed to control clinical manifestations that were found to be strongly associated with fatigue such as disease activity, functional disability, depression, and poor sleep