Fatigue in multiple sclerosis: associations with health-related quality of life and physical performance

View or print this bulletin in its original format.

Medical Update Memo
June 21, 2010

Summary

Fatigue is a common, but still one of the least understood symptoms in multiple sclerosis (MS). Authors aimed to investigate whether fatigue was associated with demographic-, clinical-, health-related quality of life (HRQoL)- and physical performance variables, and whether change in fatigue after treatment was associated with changes in HRQoL and physical performance. Smedal T, Beiske AG, et al. Eur J Neurol. 2010 May 20. [Epub ahead of print]

Details

Sixty patients were included for inpatient physiotherapy. Fifty-six patients completed the study and were available for analysis. Fatigue (Fatigue Severity Scale; FSS), HRQoL (Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale; MSIS-29) and physical performance (walking ability and balance) were assessed at screening, baseline, after treatment and at follow-up after 3 and 6 months. We analysed possible associations between fatigue and other variables at baseline by regression models, and between change in fatigue versus changes in both HRQoL and physical performance variables after physiotherapy by correlation analysis.

Fatigue at baseline was associated with HRQoL (explained 21.9% of variance), but not with the physical performance tests. Change in fatigue was correlated with change in HRQoL, but not with changes in physical performance. All measures were improved after treatment (P </= 0.001). While improvements in fatigue and HRQoL were lost at follow-up, improvements in physical performance tests were maintained for at least 6 months (P </= 0.05).

Fatigue was associated with HRQoL at baseline. Improvement in fatigue seemed to be related to other factors than improvement in physical performance. A broader strategy including both physical and psychological dimensions seems to be needed to improve fatigue over the long-term.

Disclaimer
The Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada is an independent, voluntary health agency and does not approve, endorse or recommend any specific product or therapy, but provides information to assist individuals in making their own decisions.

Back to top