The aim of this study was to investigate self-reported severity of PSF in detail and its impact on functioning at 3 and 12 months in men and women.
Persons with first-ever ischemic stroke were consecutively included in Lund Stroke Recovery Study from the stroke unit at Skåne University Hospital in Lund, Sweden, between 2021-2022. Self-reported fatigue was assessed using the Fatigue Assessment Scale (FAS) at 3 and 12 months after stroke. The FAS assesses aspects of both physical and mental fatigue and consists of 10 statements with five response options ranging from 1 (never) to 5 (always). The FAS total score ranges from 10 to 50; higher scores indicate greater fatigue. A score of 24 indicates no fatigue, 24-35 moderate fatigue, and > 35 a high level of fatigue.
Mann Whitney U test was used for comparisons between the sexes.
The sample included 218 participants, whereof 77 (35%) were women and 141 (65%) men. Their median (q1, q3) age was 72.5 (62.8,79.6) years. At 3 months the median (q1, q3) FAS total score was 22.0 (16.5,28.5) for women, and 20.0 (15.0,25.5) for men, p=0.050. At 12 months, the corresponding scores were 22.0 (16.0,28.0) for women, and 19.0 (15.0,24.5) for men, p=0.051. Among female participants, 45% reported moderate to severe fatigue 3 months post-stroke, and 42% at 12 months. Among the male participants, 33% reported moderate to severe fatigue at 3 months post-stroke, and the corresponding figure was 27% at 12 months. Around 40% of female participants and 30% of the male participants reported that they regularly, often or always (i.e. item score ≥ 3) were bothered by fatigue, they got tired very quickly, and did not do much during the day neither at 3- nor 12-months follow-up.
PSF remains a persistent problem and has a negative impact on functioning for both men and women, although women seem to be most affected over time. More information is required about modifiable risk factors for PSF, and its temporal trajectories in both sexes.
An improved understanding of how PSF persists over time for each gender, and how it impacts functioning can help clinicians to implement more person-centred rehabilitation interventions. The ultimate goal is to decrease PSF, increase quality of life and participation for persons with this condition.
Fatigue
Gender
