Factors Associated with Self-reported Fatigue: from Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2001

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Fatigue is one of the common chief complaints in primary care setting. It causes disability in daily activity and lowers quality of life. This study was intended to investigate the information about fatigue useful in outpatient clinic. METHODS: The data was obtained from the Korean Health and Nutrition Survey 2001. Logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the association between self- reported fatigue and several factors including sociodemographic factors, life style factors, stress, depression, and worry about health. RESULTS: The prevalence of fatigue was low in unmarried status, more significantly in men when compared with those in married status. No significant association was found between fatigue and occupation, education level, monthly income, smoking, and alcohol consumption. The risk of fatigue in the exercising group more than 4 times per week was significantly low in women. The risk of fatigue in the group of sleeping duration less than 5 hours was significantly higher than the group of sleeping more than 9 hours. Compared with unemployed state, the daily working duration of more than 9 hours increased the risk for fatigue significantly. Stress perception, sadness or depression during the past 1 year and worry about health were strongly associated with fatigue. CONCLUSION: When evaluating and managing patients with fatigue, we should search for information about the patients' lifestyle such as exercise, daily work hours, sleeping as well as stress perception and depressive mood. Especially among the lifestyle, inquiring about regular exercise and promoting it may be important in order to manage patients with fatigue.