Systemic sclerosis & Raynaud's
The burden and determinants of fatigue in incident and prevalent systemic sclerosis
Authors' conclusion
The burden of fatigue is substantial in both incident and prevalent SSc. Cardiopulmonary and gastrointestinal involvement are associated with worse fatigue.
Study context
- Population
- Australian Scleroderma Cohort Study participants with ≥1 FACIT-Fatigue score
- Participants
- 859 participants
- Exposure
- Incident systemic sclerosis (SSc) vs prevalent SSc
- Incident SScn = 215
- Prevalent SScn = 644
- Outcome
- Burden of fatigue (FACIT-Fatigue scores) and its clinical associations
Methodological detailsgeneralised estimating equations
- Generalised estimating equations
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
First-recorded FACIT-Fatigue score
P = 0.17
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Lowest-ever recorded FACIT-Fatigue score · similar
P = 0.75
Associations with more severe fatigue in incident SSc (regression coefficients)
| Estimate | |
|---|---|
| Higher skin scores | RC −1.5 units (95% CI −2.3 to −0.8) |
| PAH | RC −8.2 (95% CI −16.5 to 0.1) |
| Reduced left ventricular function | RC −10.6 (95% CI −18.3 to −2.8) |
Associations with more severe fatigue in prevalent SSc (regression coefficients)
| RC (95% CI) | |
|---|---|
| Higher skin scores | −0.6 (−1.3 to 0) |
| Gastrointestinal symptoms | −6.6 (−9.0 to −4.2) |
| Hypoalbuminaemia | −2.8 (−5.0 to −0.7) |
| BMI<18.5kg/m² | −6.3 (−10.3 to −2.2) |
| Raised CRP | −3.1 (−4.7 to −1.5) |
| Anaemia | −1.7 (−3.5 to 0.1) |
Original publication
The burden and determinants of fatigue in incident and prevalent systemic sclerosis. Clin Exp Rheumatol. Published 14 August 2024. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →