RESEARCH - Fatigue and rheumatoid arthritis

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Ann Readapt Med Phys. 2006 Jul;49(6):385-8. Epub 2006 Apr 25.

Fatigue and rheumatoid arthritis.

Mayoux-Benhamou MA.

Service de reeducation, institut de rhumatologie, hopital Cochin, 27, rue du

Faubourg-Saint-Jacques, 75014 Paris, France.

Fatigue is a common complaint among patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA)

and is regarded as an extra-articular symptom of the disease. Little

attention has been paid by health professional teams to the multidimensional

nature of RA-related fatigue and its wide-ranging consequences for quality

of life. Unlike normal tiredness, fatigue is chronic, typically not related

to overexertion and poorly relieved by rest. The prevalence is high and

several RA-related components have been reported as predictors of fatigue.

RA-related fatigue appeared to be strongly associated with psychosocial

factors. Fatigue assessment and management are complex because psychological

and physiological factors may be involved. Several instruments that have

been used in RA to assess fatigue. They have involved a self-reporting

format. Some are brief, quantitative and symptom-focused questionnaires.

Others provide a multidimensional assessment. DMARD therapy, especially

anti-TNF decreased disease activity and alleviates fatigue. An additional

direct effect is hypothetical. The non-pharmacological management includes

behavioral therapy or self-management courses and physical exercise.

Finally, the importance and relevance of fatigue as an outcome measure is

becoming highlighted by research groups and should lead to improved

management of fatigue in usual medical practice.

PMID: 16780986

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed & cmd=Retrieve & dopt=Abstra\

ctPlus & list_uids=16780986

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