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Severe fatigue in adolescents: a common phenomenon?
Maike ter Wolbeek1, Lorenz J P van Doornen, Annemieke Kavelaars
1Laboratory of Psychoneuroimmunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Pediatrics
|June 3, 2006
Summary
Severe fatigue is common in adolescents, particularly girls, and linked to depression and anxiety. Enduring fatigue may increase the risk for developing chronic fatigue syndrome.
Area of Science:
- Adolescent Health
- Psychiatry
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Severe fatigue is a significant health concern in adolescents.
- Understanding its prevalence and associated factors is crucial for early intervention.
- Adolescent fatigue may share characteristics with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of severe fatigue in adolescent boys and girls.
- To explore the role of lifestyle factors in adolescent fatigue.
- To investigate the association between severe fatigue and comorbid conditions like depression and anxiety in adolescents.
Main Methods:
- A multidimensional questionnaire (Checklist Individual Strength) assessed fatigue severity and duration in 1718 boys and 1749 girls.
- Self-report questionnaires gathered data on depressive symptoms, anxiety, CFS-related symptoms, and lifestyle.
- Multiple regression analysis identified gender-specific predictors of fatigue.
Main Results:
- High prevalence of severe fatigue observed, with 20.5% of girls and 6.5% of boys meeting the clinical cutoff.
- Sleep and sports participation were significant lifestyle predictors for fatigue in both genders.
- Girls reported higher rates of fatigue, depression, anxiety, and CFS-related symptoms, though the association between fatigue and these comorbidities was similar across genders.
Conclusions:
- Adolescent fatigue is prevalent, especially among girls, who appear more vulnerable to fatigue and comorbidity.
- A cluster of fatigue, depression, anxiety, and CFS-related symptoms was identified, with similar associations in both genders.
- Prolonged severe fatigue may be a risk factor for developing chronic fatigue syndrome in adolescents.
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