Full Title: Characterization of chronic fatigue in sarcoidosis in clinical remission.
Authors: Korenromp IH, Heijnen CJ, Vogels OJ, van den Bosch JM, Grutters JC.
Publication: Chest
Publication Date: 17 February 2011
Department of Pulmonology, St. Antonius Hospital Nieuwegein, Netherlands.
BACKGROUND
Sarcoidosis patients frequently complain of fatigue, even when sarcoidosis has come into clinical remission. Primary aim of this study was to assess the severity of fatigue in sarcoidosis patients in clinical remission and to characterize it according the international criteria for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). Furthermore, we evaluated whether fatigue is associated with depression and anxiety, health status, and patient-reported sleep quality, and recorded physical activity levels and muscle strength as objective assessments of fatigue.
METHODS
Data on 75 patients with sarcoidosis in clinical remission were obtained by questionnaires (Checklist Individual Strength, Symptom Checklist-90, Beck Depression Inventory-primary care, Medical Outcome Score-short version-36), standardized interview (CFS-criteria), sleep diary, accelerometer and muscle strength tests.
RESULTS
Fatigue severity mean score in sarcoidosis patients in clinical remission was high (CIS-Fatigue severity: 30.5 ± 15.5), and criteria for CFS were met in 47% of fatigued participants. Median time since diagnosis was 9 years. Fatigue was associated with depression (P = 0.01), anxiety (P = 0.013) and reduced health status (P < 0.001). Scores on sleep quality were normal. Physical activity levels were reduced in fatigued participants. Also muscle strength -particularly handgrip (P = 0.006) and quadriceps strength (P < 0.001) - was significantly associated with fatigue.
CONCLUSIONS
Fatigue in sarcoidosis patients in clinical remission is a frequent symptom and can be characterized as a severe and long-lasting problem, symptomatically similar to CFS. Psychological distress and reduced health status are associated with fatigue. Interestingly, we observed significantly reduced physical activity and muscle weakness in fatigued patients.
PMID: 21330380
View the 'Characterization of chronic fatigue in sarcoidosis in clinical remission' abstract on PubMed.
