The Swedish occupational fatigue inventory in people with multiple sclerosis.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the applicability of the Swedish Occupational Fatigue Inventory and its ability to identify different dimensions of fatigue in people with multiple sclerosis with varying degrees of disease severity, and the correlation of each of its 5 dimensions with the Fatigue Severity Scale.


METHODS
An observational, prospective study.


METHODS
Two hundred and nineteen outpatients: 59.5% had mild, 17% moderate and 23.5% severe disease severity; 83% received immunomodulatory treatment.


METHODS
Both questionnaires were administered at inclusion, and at 12 and 24 months. Analyses of internal consistency, item-total correlation, factor analysis and tests of correlations were performed.


RESULTS
The instrument was completed by 97% of subjects. Internal consistency was satisfactory in the dimensions Lack of energy, Lack of motivation and Sleepiness, but not in Physical exertion and Physical discomfort. Factor analysis revealed that all but 3 items (2 in Physical exertion, 1 in Physical discomfort) loaded satisfactorily in 5 dimensions. Correlations between the dimensions and the Fatigue Severity Scale were low, except for a moderate correlation found for Lack of energy.


CONCLUSIONS
The dimensions Lack of energy, Lack of motivation and Sleepiness appear applicable for use in people with multiple sclerosis. Further development of the physical dimensions and studies on the instrument's capacity to measure changes are needed.
Division of Neurology R54, Karolinska University Hospital, Huddinge, SE-141 86 Stockholm, Sweden. sverker.johansson@ki.se
Sverker
S
Johansson
Charlotte
C
Ytterberg
Birgitta
B
Back
Lotta Widén
LW
Holmqvist
Lena
L
von Koch
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005221:Fatigue / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden; D014937:Work / Q000523:psychology