Sammanfattning
Background: Fatigue is a pronounced symptom that often affects stroke patients. Fatigue is described as persistent tiredness, exhaustion and reduced capacity for activity, and is often associated with impaired quality of life. Earlier studies show a large variation in associated factors and the prevalence of post-stroke fatigue (PSF).
Objective: To investigate whether there is an association between PSF and socio-demographic, medical and clinical characteristics in a Norwegian sample.
Method: A cross-sectional study of 321 stroke patients recruited from 11 hospitals in Norway in the period 2014–2016. We collected data using a structured questionnaire in individual interviews held 4–6 weeks after the patient’s stroke. Fatigue was measured using a shortened version of the Fatigue Questionnaire (FQ). We used multivariate logistic regression analysis in this study.
Results: The prevalence of PSF was 43.6 per cent in this study. Previous health problems (OR, odds ratio = 4.99), depression (OR = 4.47), care responsibilities for others (OR = 2.86) and the severity of the stroke (OR = 1.16) were factors that increased the risk of fatigue 4–6 weeks after a stroke.
Conclusion: The study supports earlier findings that PSF is widespread. The study identified four factors that increased the likelihood of reporting fatigue 4–6 weeks after a stroke. Knowledge of the prevalence of PSF and the factors associated with PSF is crucial for nurses and other healthcare personnel being able to identify which patients may need follow-up in connection with PSF.