RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Factors associated with fatigue in sarcoidosis JF Respiratory Care FD American Association for Respiratory Care SP respcare.02080 DO 10.4187/respcare.02080 A1 Michael Fleischer A1 Andreas Hinz A1 Elmar Brähler A1 Hubert Wirtz A1 Andrea Bosse-Henck YR 2013 UL http://rc.rcjournal.com/content/early/2013/11/19/respcare.02080.abstract AB Background: Fatigue is a frequent symptom of patients suffering from sarcoidosis. The origin of fatigue associated with sarcoidosis is unclear. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of affected organs, medication, and comorbidity on fatigue related to sarcoidosis. Method: In collaboration with the German Sarcoidosis Society, a sample of 1197 subjects, diagnosed with sarcoidosis, were examined. The participants completed a questionnaire that contained the Fatigue Assessment Scale (FAS) and the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI). Results: In this study, muscles, bones and nerves were most strongly associated with fatigue. Patients receiving prednisolone showed heightened fatigue levels, however, the association between the duration of prednisolone therapy and fatigue was weak. The concomitant diseases, pulmonary hypertension and sleep apnoea, showed the greatest impact elevating fatigue (effect sizes d>0.50). In the combined regression analysis, comorbidity was the most important predictor of fatigue. Conclusions: It is important to consider that multiple clinical factors, especially comorbidities, contribute to the high degrees of fatigue in sarcoidosis.