Patient-reported fatigue in patients with rheumatoid arthritis who commence biologic therapy: a longitudinal study.

ABSTRACT:

Aims and objectives

To examine changes in patient-reported fatigue, over a twelve month period, in rheumatoid arthritis patients who commence biologic treatment, and to identify possible predictors for such changes.

Background

Fatigue is a burdensome symptom for patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Despite biologics being effective in reducing disease activity, patients still report fatigue.

Design

A longitudinal observational study.

Methods

A total of 48 patients were enrolled in the study. Fatigue was measured by the Fatigue Severity Scale. Independent samples T-tests were used to test gender differences, and paired samples T-tests were used to measure differences between repeated measures. Bivariate and multiple regression analyses were used to

SUBMITTER: Rinke HS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6475131 | biostudies-literature | 2019

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature