RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Factors Associated With Fatigue in Sarcoidosis
JF Respiratory Care
FD American Association for Respiratory Care
SP 1086
OP 1094
DO 10.4187/respcare.02080
VO 59
IS 7
A1 Fleischer, Michael
A1 Hinz, Andreas
A1 Brähler, Elmar
A1 Wirtz, Hubert
A1 Bosse-Henck, Andrea
YR 2014
UL http://rc.rcjournal.com/content/59/7/1086.abstract
AB BACKGROUND: Fatigue is a frequent symptom of patients with 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 1,197 subjects diagnosed with sarcoidosis was examined. The participants completed a questionnaire that contained the Fatigue Assessment Scale and the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory. 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 apnea, 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.