Development of a method of evaluation of fatigue and its economic impacts

Abstract

If a method for the qualitative and quantitative evaluation of fatigue can be developed, it will be useful not only as a means of self-monitoring by individuals and improving occupational health, but also for facilitating the development and commercialization of antifatigue medications and food supplements. Although it is difficult to determine with precision the economic loss caused by fatigue, there is no question that the successful suppression of chronic fatigue (which is one factor responsible for the onset or exacerbation of lifestyle-related chronic diseases) will greatly contribute to decreasing medical expenditure. It is known that major signs of fatigue, which appear in the form of compromised physical and mental function, are closely related to the function of the frontal lobes (which may be the center for fatigue recognition) and of the autonomic nervous system. For this reason, the quantification of fatigue requires the development of biomarkers capable of objectively and sensitively evaluating changes in frontal lobe function (working memory, etc.) and autonomic nervous system function (pulse waves, etc.). Qualitative and quantitative evaluations of fatigue will be possible by meta-analyses of changes in biochemical, immunological, and physiological markers in blood, saliva, and urine, as well as changes in brain function imaging in the presence of mental or physical stress. © 2008 Springer Japan.