Factors that affect the severity of fatigue in patients with COPD

Abstract

Background/aim: Fatigue, hinders individuals' ability to function at normal capacity. The mechanisms responsible for fatigue have not fully understood yet. The aim of the study to predict the factors that affect the severity of fatigue in patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).

Methods: The short form of the international physical activity questionnaire (IPAQ-SF) was used for determining the level of physical activity. The perceived dyspnea was determined by the medical research council dyspnea scale (MRC). The fatigue severity scale (FSS) was used to determine fatigue. The short form-36 health survey (SF-36) was used to evaluate health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Pulmonary function tests(PFTs) were performed for airway functions. The stepwise regression analysis was used to predict the factors that affect the severity of fatigue.

Results: Sixty-four COPD patients with 61.19±4.71 mean age included. The best model included MRC score, cigarette consumption and IPAQ-SF category as significant unique contributors. The model was significant (F=29.48, df=60, p<0.001) and explained 84% of the variance (Adj. R square=0.84) in the severity of fatigue. It showed that the MRC score (B=4.50), cigarette consumption (B=0.24) and an inactive lifestyle (B= -11.07) were significantly correlated with the severity of fatigue, and they contributed independently to the prediction of severity of fatigue for patients with COPD (p<0.001, for all).

Conclusions: Dyspnea, cigarette consumption and physical activity level factors are key contributors to fatigue in patients with COPD. Since it may affect the management of COPD, we think that further research is needed for factors that increase the severity of fatigue.