Fatigue in men and women 3 and 12 months after ischemic stroke: Occurrence, severity, impact on functioning, and changes over time
Sara Brycke, Anna Norlander, Erik Blennow Nordström, Arne G. Lindgren, Christina BrogårdhAbstract
Background
Although fatigue is common after stroke, there is limited knowledge about gender‐specific differences, fatigue severity, impact on functioning, and how fatigue changes over time. With advanced stroke treatments and a higher proportion of mild strokes, updated knowledge about this condition is important.
Objective
To investigate the occurrence, severity, and impact of fatigue among men and women at 3 and 12 months after first‐ever ischemic stroke, including changes over time and differences between the genders.
Design
Prospective observational design.
Setting
University hospital setting.
Participants
A total of 268 persons (91 women) with first ever ischemic stroke (median age 73 years).
Main outcome measure
The 10‐item Swedish version of the Fatigue Assessment Scale (S‐FAS) with scores ranging from 10 to 50; higher scores indicating more fatigue.
Results
Significantly more women than men reported fatigue (ie, S‐FAS scores ≥24) at 3 months (46% vs. 30%; p = .013) and 12 months (42% vs. 28%; p = .036). Moderate fatigue (S‐FAS scores 24–35) was most common in both genders and at both time points. Fatigue had a similar negative impact on functioning in both men and women; the most frequent reported problems were being troubled by fatigue, getting tired very quickly, and doing few things during the day. Overall, total S‐FAS scores decreased significantly between 3 and 12 months among both men (median 31 vs. 27, p = .037) and women (median 30 vs. 27, p = .007), although individual variations occurred.
Conclusion
Fatigue was common among people with first‐ever ischemic stroke, particularly in women. Although fatigue decreased over the first year, both men and women struggled with persistent fatigue which impacted their functioning negatively. To provide person‐centered interventions and reduce the burden of fatigue after stroke, clinicians should reassess not only the occurrence of fatigue but also its severity and consequences over time.