In a nutshell
This paper studied the factors that increased the chances of fatigue after a stroke.
Some background
Ischemic stroke occurs when a blood vessel to the brain is blocked and causes damage to the brain. After a stroke, patients often have fatigue. Fatigue is described as exhaustion, weariness and lack of energy that does not go away with rest. Fatigue can make it harder to recover from a stroke. Factors such as older age, female gender, nervous system damage, medication use, and depression can increase the likelihood of fatigue. However, it is unclear whether other factors also contribute to fatigue.
Methods & findings
265 patients who had their first ischemic stroke were studied. These patients had no previous history of depression. Depressive symptoms, sleep disturbances, sedative medications and fatigue were assessed at 13–14 days after stroke. Lifestyle and family information was also obtained from patients.
After the stroke, 40% of patients had fatigue. Patients with more severe disability were 2.55 times more likely to be fatigued. Patients with depressive symptoms were 2.39 times more likely to be fatigued. Patients who did not exercise regularly before the stroke were 4 times more likely to be fatigued. Patients who used sedative medications were 4.14 times more likely to be fatigued. Patients who had coronary heart disease were 3.38 times more likely to be fatigued. Patients with family dysfunction were 2.63 times more likely to be fatigued.
The bottom line
The authors concluded that fatigue after stroke was associated with various factors such as severe disability, lack of exercise and family dysfunction.
The fine print
There was a small number of patients studied.
What’s next?
Discuss ways of managing fatigue with your physician.
Published By :
PLOS ONE
Date :
Oct 10, 2014
