Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, including details on myalgic encephalomyelitis (me), diagnosis, gradual and sudden onset.

Fatigue and anaemia in patients with chronic heart failure.

Falk K, Swedberg K, Gaston-Johansson F, Ekman I

Institute of Nursing, Faculty of Health and Caring Sciences, The Sahlgrenska Academy at Göteborg University, Box 457, S-405 30 Göteborg, Sweden.

BACKGROUND: Fatigue is common in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) and has great impact on functional ability and daily activity. Although anaemia is associated with fatigue, the relationship between fatigue and anaemia is unclear in CHF. The aim of this study was to describe the fatigue experience and its relationship to haemoglobin (Hb) concentration and to evaluate its effect on health-related quality of life in an unselected hospitalised CHF population. METHODS: Ninety three consecutive patients hospitalised with a diagnosis of CHF, enrolled in the EuroHeart Failure Survey, completed the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory Scale (MFI-20). New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class, quality of life and haemoglobin were also assessed. RESULTS: Anaemia (Hb</=125 g/L) was found in 31 (33%) patients. The perception of fatigue differed significantly between patients with CHF and healthy individuals. Anaemic patients reported significantly more fatigue compared to non-anaemic patients. Decreased haemoglobin and higher NYHA class explained 30% of the variance in General Fatigue. Perceived fatigue was also inversely related to global health and quality of life. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that the subjective experience of fatigue in patients with CHF is associated with low haemoglobin concentration and reduced functional status after controlling for age and sex.

Published 30 October 2006 in Eur J Heart Fail, 8(7): 744-9.
Full-text of this article is available online (may require subscription).

© 2005-2008 Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Research Today. All Rights Reserved.