Article

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the impact of disease-related aspects on long-term
variations in fatigue in persons with rheumatoid arthritis.
DESIGN: Observational
longitudinal study. 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. Disease-related 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.

Langue : ANGLAIS