Investigation of fatigue and quality of life in people with musculoskeletal problems

Abstract

OBJECTIVE To investigate the relationship between the feeling of fatigue and quality of life of people with muscu-loskeletal problems, as well as to find whether their quality of life has been affected or not from the years of diagno-sis. METHOD The research sample consisted of 100 patients diagnosed with musculoskeletal problems. The Greek version of the Fatigue Assessment Scale (FAS) was used to measure fatigue levels, while the Greek version of the Mis-soula-Vitas Quality of Life Index-15 (MVQOLI-15) was used to assess quality of life. RESULTS Both levels of total fatigue and physical and mental fatigue were found to be negatively associated with global quality of life, symptoms and overall quality of life (p<0.001). In addition, total and mental fatigue were also negatively related to interper-sonal relationships (p<0.001). Respectively, total and physical fatigue were negatively related to spirituality (p<0.05). The years of diagnosis were found to be positively related to functionality, well-being, levels of total and mental fatigue (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Fatigue in patients with musculoskeletal problems is directly related to the years of diagnosis and their quality of life. Increasing the overall and global quality of life means reducing the levels of overall fatigue, both mental and physical. In conclusion, as the years of diagnosis of musculoskeletal problems increase, so does the level of overall fatigue.