The prognosis of burnout and prolonged fatigue in the working population: a comparison.
OBJECTIVE
To assess and compare prognostic factors for recovery in burnout and prolonged fatigue.


METHODS
Baseline, 12-, 24-, and 48-month follow-up data from the Maastricht Cohort Study were used. Prolonged fatigue or burnout cases or both at baseline (n = 2356) were divided into three subgroups: "pure fatigue," "pure burnout," and "burnout & fatigue". Using logistic generalized estimating equation analysis, baseline predictors of recovery, including (mental) health, work, and demographic factors, were determined.


RESULTS
Selection variables predicted recovery across the subgroups. Health factors predicted recovery in the pure fatigue and burnout & fatigue subgroups. Differences in work factors emerged between the subgroups. Work factors especially predicted recovery in the pure burnout group.


CONCLUSIONS
Differences emerged with respect to work and health factors which suggest the importance of differentiating between burnout and prolonged fatigue. This could provide valuable leads for intervention possibilities.
Leone
Stephanie S
SS
Department of Epidemiology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands. Stephanie.Leone@epid.unimaas.nl
Huibers
Marcus J H
MJ
Knottnerus
J André
JA
Kant
Ijmert
I
D000328:Adult; D002055:Burnout, Professional / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005221:Fatigue / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009426:Netherlands; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires