Article

Fatigue is a common and debilitating symptom in patients with
multiple sclerosis (MS).
Self-reported levels of perceived fatigue are associated
with both patient characteristics and clinical measures.
Pilot analysis indicated
that muscle fatigability combined with depression scores was highly associated
with perceived fatigue in patients with MS. Studies that combine physiological
and psychological constructs to explain MS-related fatigue are scarce. Therefore,
the present study aimed to evaluate the robustness of the association between
perceived fatigue, muscle fatigability, and depression scores in MS. METHODS:
Eighty-six patients with relapsing-remitting MS completed 2 fatigue
questionnaires (Fatigue Severity Scale [FSS] and Modified Fatigue Impact Scale
[MFIS]) and a depression questionnaire (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale
[HADS]). Maximal index finger abduction force (maximum voluntary contraction
[MVC]) was measured, as well as muscle fatigability during a 2-minutes sustained
maximal contraction. Multivariable regression analyses were used to analyze the
association between perceived fatigue, and muscle fatigability and depression
scores. RESULTS: Perceived fatigue was associated with depression, muscle
fatigability, and, depending on the questionnaire, to sex or to MVC. The model
explained 40% and 48% of the variation in perception of fatigue as indexed with
FSS questionnaire (r(partial): HADS 0.45, muscle fatigability 0.45, MVC -0.14,
sex 0.32), and MFIS physical questionnaire (r(partial): HADS 0.59, muscle
fatigability 0.49, MVC -0.38), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The found association
accentuates the importance of including both physiological fatigability-related
and psychological mood-related constructs in models to explain perceived fatigue
in patients with MS. The model also directs future research toward applying
effortful conditions and emphasizes the importance of assessing different
constructs when evaluating rehabilitation strategies to reduce MS-related
fatigue.
CI - (c) The Author(s) 2015.

Langue : ANGLAIS