title: Factors associated with fatigue in sarcoidosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Fatigue is a frequent symptom of patients with sarcoidosis. The origin of fatigue associated with sarcoidosis is unclear. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of affected organs, medication, and comorbidity on fatigue related to sarcoidosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  In collaboration with the German Sarcoidosis Society, a sample of 1,197 subjects diagnosed with sarcoidosis was examined. The participants completed a questionnaire that contained the Fatigue Assessment Scale and the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In this study, muscles, bones, and nerves were most strongly associated with fatigue. Patients receiving prednisolone showed heightened fatigue levels. However, the association between the duration of prednisolone therapy and fatigue was weak. The concomitant diseases, pulmonary hypertension and sleep apnea, showed the greatest impact elevating fatigue (effect sizes d > 0.50). In the combined regression analysis, comorbidity was the most important predictor of fatigue.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is important to consider that multiple clinical factors, especially comorbidities, contribute to the high degrees of fatigue in sarcoidosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology michael-fleischer@live.de.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fleischer
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology.
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hinz
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology.
authors.forename: Elmar
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Brähler
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Medicine, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.
authors.forename: Hubert
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wirtz
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Medicine, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bosse-Henck
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D001379:Azathioprine / Q000009:adverse effects; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005221:Fatigue / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D006976:Hypertension, Pulmonary / Q000150:complications; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000009:adverse effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000009:adverse effects; D012307:Risk Factors; D012507:Sarcoidosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D012891:Sleep Apnea Syndromes / Q000150:complications; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D011239:Prednisolone; D001379:Azathioprine; D008727:Methotrexate
keywords: comorbidity; fatigue; organs; sarcoidosis