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Correlation between fatigue and self-esteem in patients with multiple sclerosis.
Yára Dadalti Fragoso1, Erika Oliveira da Silva, Alessandro Finkelsztejn
1Neurology Department, Universidade Metropolitana de Santos, Santos SP, Brazil. yara@bsnet.com.br
Arquivos De Neuro-Psiquiatria
|October 20, 2009
Summary
In multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, increased fatigue severity is linked to lower self-esteem. This suggests chronic fatigue impacts how individuals perceive their self-worth.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Psychology
Background:
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurological condition.
- Fatigue is a common and debilitating symptom in MS patients.
- The relationship between fatigue and psychological well-being, specifically self-esteem, requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between fatigue severity and self-esteem levels in patients with multiple sclerosis.
- To determine if fatigue correlates with self-esteem independently of other clinical and demographic factors.
Main Methods:
- A prospective study involving 30 multiple sclerosis patients with low disability (EDSS ≤ 3.5) and clinical stability.
- Exclusion of patients with moderate to severe depression or anxiety.
- Assessment of fatigue severity and self-esteem using validated scales; collection of demographic and clinical data.
Main Results:
- A statistically significant correlation was found between higher fatigue severity and lower self-esteem (p=0.01).
- No significant correlation was observed between self-esteem and other variables including age, gender, EDSS, MS duration, relapses, or mild depression/anxiety.
Conclusions:
- Increased fatigue severity in multiple sclerosis patients is associated with diminished self-esteem.
- This finding highlights the potential impact of chronic fatigue on patients' self-perception and self-worth.
- Interventions targeting fatigue management may positively influence self-esteem in MS.
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