Article

The aim of this study was to describe prevalence of fatigue and its
relationship with demographic and clinical variables during the first 2 weeks
(acute phase) following a stroke. METHOD: Data were collected in a
cross-sectional correlational study from face-to-face interviews using structured
questionnaires and patient's medical records.
The sample consists of 115 patients
with first-ever stroke admitted to two hospitals in Norway in 2007 and 2008.
Post-stroke fatigue was measured with the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS). The FSS
measure was applied in the analysis as a continuous variable, and also used to
categorise patients into three groups of fatigue intensity: no fatigue (mean
FSS-score <4), moderate fatigue (mean FSS-score = 4-4.9) and severe fatigue (mean
FSS-score >/=5). Patients who reported fatigue lasting longer than 3 months
before the stroke were defined as having prestroke fatigue. RESULTS: Pre-stroke
fatigue was reported by 34 patients (30%). After stroke, 24% had severe fatigue,
and fatigue was more common for women (57%). Controlling for sex and prestroke
fatigue, the multivariate analysis showed that prestroke fatigue, lower physical
function and depressive symptoms were related to post-stroke fatigue. CONCLUSION: Pre-stroke fatigue and fatigue during the acute phase needs to be assessed in
relation to physical functioning and depression during recovery and the
rehabilitation process.

Langue : ANGLAIS