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Fatigue in multiple sclerosis: relationship to depression, disability, and disease pattern.
D C Kroencke1, S G Lynch, D R Denney
1Department of Psychology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, KS 66045, USA.
Multiple Sclerosis (Houndmills, Basingstoke, England)
|April 25, 2000
Summary
Fatigue in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is strongly linked to depression and disability. Disability, not disease subtype, primarily explains differences in fatigue levels among MS patients.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- Fatigue is a common and debilitating symptom in Multiple Sclerosis (MS).
- Understanding the factors contributing to MS fatigue is crucial for effective patient management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the associations between fatigue and depression, disability, and MS disease subtypes.
- To identify key predictors of self-reported fatigue in individuals with MS.
Main Methods:
- 207 clinically definite Multiple Sclerosis patients completed the Fatigue Severity Scale and Zung Self-rating Depression Scale.
- Disability was assessed using the Expanded Disability Status Scale.
- Correlations and multiple regression analyses were performed to examine relationships.
Main Results:
- Fatigue showed a high correlation with depression (r=0.58) and disability (r=0.33).
- Depressed mood and disability were significant predictors of fatigue, explaining 23% of the variance.
- Apparent differences in fatigue between MS subtypes were primarily due to disability levels.
Conclusions:
- Both depression and disability significantly contribute to fatigue in Multiple Sclerosis.
- Disability, rather than disease subtype, is the main driver of fatigue differences across MS patient groups.
- Previous findings on MS fatigue and subtypes require re-evaluation considering disability's role.