What is the influence of fatigue, global function, cognitive state, and pain in individuals with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis? A cross-sectional study
Year: 2024
Type: conference-abstract
Abstract: Background: Fatigue is still an incompletely understood symptom in individuals with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), and little is known about its relationship with other symptoms such as global function, pain, and cognition. Objective: To identify the levels of fatigue, pain, global function, and cognition in a Brazilian group of individuals with ALS, in order to investigate potential influences between the aforementioned symptoms and fatigue. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study derived from a longitudinal (cohort) study. Individuals with ALS were recruited intentionally and non-probabilistically. After agreeing to participate in the research, the individuals were assessed using a custom evaluation form, collecting data regarding the level of fatigue (independent variable), global function, pain, and cognition (dependent variables). To assess fatigue, we used the Fatigue Severity Scale. For the dependent variables, we used the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale - Revised, the Visual Analogue Scale along with a body diagram, and the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Cognitive Behavioral Screen to measure global function, pain, and cognition, respectively. The covariates considered were sex, disease duration, type of symptom onset, age, and education level. Data were analysed by categorising fatigue (with and without fatigue) and considering the covariates. Comparisons, bivariate analyses, and multiple linear regression analyses were then performed. Results: We collected data from 72 individuals with ALS. Inferential statistics indicated differences between the fatigue categories in terms of global function, pain, and cognition. Bivariate analyses showed correlations between the independent variable and all dependent variables, as well as correlations between the covariates (except for type of symptom onset) and some of the dependent variables (P<0.20). Multiple linear regression analyses indicated a relationship between fatigue and the dependent variables. Conclusion: Fatigue is associated with lower levels of global function, poorer cognitive status, and higher levels of pain in a Brazilian sample of ALS patients. Additionally, age, sex, education level, and disease duration were identified as potential factors for the occurrence of fatigue, with a higher frequency observed in women compared to men with the condition.
Source: Arquivos de Neuro-Psiquiatria
DOI: 10.5327/cbn241768
Language: English
Subfield: Neurology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $200
OpenAlex ID: W4416177476