Prevalence and Determinants of Fatigue in Patients with IBD: A Cross-Sectional Survey from the GETAID

Background Fatigue is commonly reported by patients with inflammatory bowel disease [IBD], but the determinants of IBD-related fatigue have yet to be determined. Aims To identify the factors associated with fatigue in a large population of patients with IBD. Patients and Methods Fatigue and nine other IBD-related disability dimensions were assessed in a cohort of 1704 consecutive patients with IBD using the IBD-disk questionnaire in a cross-sectional survey of 42 French and Belgian centres. Fatigue and severe fatigue were defined as energy subscores >5 and >7, respectively. Determinants of fatigue were assessed using univariate and multivariate analyses (odds ratios [ORs] are provided with 95% confidence intervals). Results The prevalence rates of fatigue and severe fatigue were 54.1% and 37.1%, respectively. Both fatigue and severe fatigue were significantly higher in patients with active disease than in patients with inactive disease [64.9% vs 44.7% and 47.4% vs 28.6%, respectively; p < 0.001 for both comparisons]. In the multivariate analysis stratified by age, sex, type of IBD and IBD activity, fatigue was associated with age >40 years (OR = 0.71 [0.54-0.93]), female sex (OR = 1.48 [1.13-1.93]) and IBD-related sick leave (OR = 1.61 [1.19-2.16]), and joint pain (OR = 1.60 [1.17-2.18]), abdominal pain (OR = 1.78 [1.29-2.45]), regulating defecation (OR = 1.67 [1.20-2.32]), education and work (OR = 1.96 [1.40-2.75]), body image (OR = 1.38 [1.02-1.86]), sleep (OR = 3.60 [2.66-4.88]) and emotions (OR = 3.60 [2.66-4.88]) subscores >5. Conclusion Determinants of fatigue are not restricted to IBD-related factors but also include social factors, sleep and emotional disturbances, thus supporting a holistic approach to IBD patient care.

Automated summary

In this study, fatigue in patients with inflammatory bowel disease was found to be associated with age, gender, and disease activity. The determinants of fatigue were not limited to disease-related factors, but also included social factors, sleep, and emotional disturbances. Therefore, a holistic approach to care should be employed for IBD patients.