Fatigue characteristics in multiple sclerosis: the North American Research Committee on Multiple Sclerosis (NARCOMS) survey.
BACKGROUND
Fatigue is a common disabling symptom of multiple sclerosis (MS) and has a significantly negative impact on quality of life. Persons with MS enrolled in the North American Research Committee on Multiple Sclerosis (NARCOMS) Patient Registry are invited to complete follow-up surveys every six months to update their original registration information. One of these surveys was designed to focus on the severity and impact of fatigue, and its association with other clinical parameters of MS such as physical disability.


METHODS
In addition to the usual data collected in Registry update surveys such as demographic characteristics, MS-related medical history, disability and handicap, immunomodulatory and symptomatic therapies taken, and healthcare services used, the survey for this study included two validated self-report fatigue scales, the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) and the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS) and questions about the use of symptomatic management for fatigue, both pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatments. This Registry update survey was mailed to all NARCOMS registrants (n = 18,595) in November 2002. Information provided by registry participants was approved for research purposes by the Yale University Institutional Review Board.


RESULTS
The response rate for the survey was 49.5% (9205/18,595). Severe fatigue as measured with the FSS using the developer's recommended severity cutpoint of > or = 36 was reported by 6691 (74%) of evaluable respondents (n = 9077). A higher prevalence of severe fatigue was observed in relapsing-worsening MS compared with relapsing-stable and primary progressive MS. A distinct pattern of fatigue was observed across the disability levels of the Patient-Determined Disease Steps (PDDS). Although there were no differences in the severity or impact of fatigue by immunomodulatory agents (IMA), respondents who recalled therapy changes in the prior six months reported different patterns of change in fatigue with lower fatigue levels reported after changing from interferon-beta to glatiramer acetate than after changing from glatiramer acetate to interferon-beta. Concomitant therapy for fatigue was used by 47.2% of the 5799 survey respondents receiving IMA.


CONCLUSIONS
Characterizing MS symptoms like fatigue can increase awareness about their impact on persons with MS and suggest recommendations for a care plan.
Hadjimichael
Olympia
O
Health Economics and Outcomes Research, Teva Neuroscience, Inc,, Kansas City, MO 64131, USA. ohadjimichael@gmail.com
Vollmer
Timothy
T
Oleen-Burkey
MerriKay
M
D000328:Adult; D002908:Chronic Disease; D018450:Disease Progression; D005221:Fatigue / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D000068717:Glatiramer Acetate; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D020528:Multiple Sclerosis, Chronic Progressive; D020529:Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting; D009128:Muscle Spasticity / Q000188:drug therapy; D009656:North America / Q000453:epidemiology; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010455:Peptides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015995:Prevalence; D011594:Psychometrics; D011788:Quality of Life; D012042:Registries; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D007155:Immunologic Factors; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D010455:Peptides; D000068717:Glatiramer Acetate; D016899:Interferon-beta