Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 26, 2026
07:22
Measuring the Motor Aspect of Cancer-Related Fatigue using a Handheld Dynamometer
Published on: February 20, 2020
Longitudinal correlates of fatigue in multiple sclerosis.
E Patrick1, C Christodoulou, L B Krupp
1Department of Neurology, State University of New York at Stony Brook, New York 11794-8121, USA.
Multiple Sclerosis (Houndmills, Basingstoke, England)
|February 3, 2009
Summary
Predictors of fatigue in multiple sclerosis (MS) include baseline fatigue, pain, and mood. These factors significantly influence fatigue levels over time, aiding in patient management.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Clinical Research
- Patient Outcomes
Background:
- Fatigue is the most prevalent symptom in multiple sclerosis (MS).
- Understanding fatigue predictors in MS remains a significant clinical challenge.
- The New York State Multiple Sclerosis Consortium (NYSMSC) database provides extensive longitudinal data for MS research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify predictors of longitudinal changes in fatigue.
- To examine the influence of pain, mood, and neurological impairment on MS fatigue.
- To analyze these predictors across different multiple sclerosis subtypes.
Main Methods:
- Utilized baseline and 1-year follow-up data from 2768 patients in the NYMSC database.
- Assessed fatigability, pain, depressive symptoms, MS subtype, and Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS).
- Employed correlational and multiple regression analyses to determine fatigue correlates and predictors.
Main Results:
- Baseline fatigue, pain, and depression explained 34.6% of the variance in 1-year follow-up fatigue.
- Fatigue levels were lower in relapsing-remitting MS compared to other subtypes.
- Consistent correlations were observed between fatigue, depressive symptoms, pain severity, and EDSS at baseline and follow-up.
Conclusions:
- Baseline fatigue, pain, mood, and EDSS are significant predictors of 1-year fatigue outcomes.
- These key symptoms demonstrate inter-correlations at baseline, follow-up, and in change scores.
- Identifying fatigue predictors can significantly improve patient management strategies in MS.
Related Concept Videos
01:19Multiple Sclerosis l: Introduction
Multiple sclerosis is a chronic autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS) that affects the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. It is an inflammatory demyelinating disorder and a leading cause of neurological disability in young adults.EpidemiologyMS commonly begins between 20 and 40 years of age and is twice as common in women. Its exact cause remains unclear, but genetic susceptibility contributes, with higher risk in first-degree relatives and identical twins. A greater...
01:21Fatigue
Fatigue occurs when materials rupture under repeated or fluctuating loads, even at stress levels far below their static breaking strength. It typically results in brittle failure, even for ductile materials. It is a critical consideration in designing machines and structural components subjected to repetitive or varying loads. The nature of these loadings can range from fluctuating loads like unbalanced pump impellers causing vibrations to repeatedly bending a thin steel rod wire back and forth...
01:24Muscle Recovery and Fatigue
Muscle fatigue refers to the decline in a muscle's ability to maintain the force of contraction after prolonged activity. It primarily stems from changes within muscle fibers. Even before experiencing muscle fatigue, one may feel tired and have the urge to stop the activity. This response, known as central fatigue, occurs due to changes in the central nervous system, namely the brain and spinal cord. While there is no single mechanism that induces fatigue, it may serve as a protective response...
02:20Longitudinal Research
Sometimes we want to see how people change over time, as in studies of human development and lifespan. When we test the same group of individuals repeatedly over an extended period of time, we are conducting longitudinal research. Longitudinal research is a research design in which data-gathering is administered repeatedly over an extended period of time. For example, we may survey a group of individuals about their dietary habits at age 20, retest them a decade later at age 30, and then again...
01:22Myasthenia Gravis ll: Pathophysiology
The disease process of myasthenia gravis begins at the neuromuscular junction, where antibodies attack key proteins needed for muscle activation. This immune reaction weakens signal transmission, leading to the characteristic muscle fatigue and weakness that define the condition.Immune-Mediated DamageIn most individuals, antibodies target acetylcholine receptors (AChRs) on the postsynaptic membrane of muscle cells. By blocking acetylcholine binding, these antibodies prevent the nerve signal...
01:26Longitudinal Studies
Longitudinal studies are also widely used in other medical and social science fields. For instance, in cardiovascular research, they can monitor patients' health over decades to identify risk factors for heart disease, such as high cholesterol or smoking, and evaluate the long-term effectiveness of preventive measures. Similarly, in mental health studies, researchers might follow individuals from adolescence into adulthood to understand the development and progression of conditions like...