Exploratory analysis of the relationships between aerobic capacity and self-reported fatigue in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, polymyositis, and chronic fatigue syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
To determine if self-reported levels of physical activity and fatigue are related to peak oxygen uptake (VO(2peak)) and whether these relationships differ among the patient groups (rheumatoid arthritis [RA], polymyositis [PM], and chronic fatigue syndrome [CFS]).


METHODS
Correlational investigation.


METHODS
Two ambulatory research clinics at the National Institutes of Health, Clinical Center, Bethesda, MD.


METHODS
There were 9 patients with PM, 10 with RA, and 10 with CFS. All patients met case criteria for their respective diagnoses. METHODS/MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: VO(2peak) during bicycle ergometry and self-reported fatigability, fatigue, and physical activity. VO(2peak) was used as the criterion measurement of physiological fatigue with which the self-reported variables were compared.


RESULTS
The Pearson r revealed that self-reported physical activity correlated with VO(2peak) (r = 61, P = .01). However, fatigability and fatigue did not correlate with VO(2peak). Linear regression analysis was performed to assess the effects of diagnosis group, self-reported activity level or fatigue, and their interaction. A trend in the data showed a distinctive relationship between fatigue/fatigability within the 3 groups. In addition, when controlling for group status, self-reported activity predicted aerobic capacity as measured by VO(2peak).


CONCLUSIONS
This study confirms that patients with chronic, but stable RA, PM, or CFS are fatigued and have significantly decreased aerobic capacity. Self-reports of physical activity predicted VO(2peak), and may be used as an indicator of activity-based aerobic capacity. Self-reports of fatigue, however, did not correlate with VO(2peak) and hence are assessing something other than an index of aerobic capacity, and provide additional information about patients' perceptions, which will require further investigation.
Weinstein
Ali A
AA
Center for Study of Chronic Illness and Disability, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA 22030, USA. aweinst2@gmu.edu
Drinkard
Bart M
BM
Diao
Guoqing
G
Furst
Gloria
G
Dale
Janet K
JK
Straus
Stephen E
SE
Gerber
Lynn H
LH
D000328:Adult; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005080:Exercise Test; D005221:Fatigue / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015673:Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D017285:Polymyositis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012650:Self Disclosure; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires