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Fatigue predicts mortality in older adults
Susan E Hardy1, Stephanie A Studenski
1Division of Geriatric Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, USA. hardys@dom.pitt.edu
Journal of the American Geriatrics Society
|September 25, 2008
Summary
Feeling tired most of the time in older adults is associated with a significantly higher risk of mortality over 10 years. This simple fatigue assessment can identify at-risk individuals for further investigation.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Clinical Epidemiology
- Primary Care Medicine
Background:
- Fatigue is a common complaint among older adults.
- Its association with long-term mortality in primary care settings requires further elucidation.
- Identifying simple predictors of mortality in this population is crucial for proactive healthcare.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the 10-year survival association between self-reported fatigue and older community-dwelling patients.
- To assess if feeling tired most of the time predicts mortality in a primary care cohort.
Main Methods:
- Prospective cohort study involving 492 older primary care patients.
- Fatigue assessed at baseline using the question: 'Do you feel tired most of the time?'.
- Mortality data collected over 10 years via the National Death Index, with adjustments for demographics, comorbidities, and functional status.
Main Results:
- 10-year mortality rates were 59% for those reporting fatigue versus 38% for those without (P<.001).
- Fatigue at baseline was independently associated with a 44% increased risk of death (HR=1.44, 95% CI=1.08-1.93) after confounder adjustment.
- This highlights a significant link between subjective fatigue and long-term survival outcomes.
Conclusions:
- A simple question about feeling tired identifies older adults at higher risk of mortality.
- Further research is warranted to understand fatigue mechanisms and develop targeted treatments.
- Investigating whether fatigue improvement impacts morbidity and mortality is essential.
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