Relationship of Fatigue Severity with Disability, pain and Sleep Disturbance in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteoarthritis: A Cross-Sectional Study

Objective: Fatigue is one of the most disabling symptoms of arthritis. The aim of this study was to evaluate fatigue severity in Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid arthritis, and its correlation with pain, disability and sleep disturbance. Methods: A cross sectional survey was conducted among patients attending a rheumatology and orthopaedic clinic in Karachi. Total 100 participants were included, fifty with osteoarthritis and fifty with rheumatoid arthritis respectively. They were assessed for fatigue, pain, disability and sleep disturbances in both the groups. Fatigue Severity Scale questionnaire was used to evaluate the intensity of fatigue. The disability index was measured by Health Assessment Questionnaire, whereas pain and sleep disturbances was assessed by Visual Analogue Scale. Result: Our result showed osteoarthritis group has significant but weak correlation of fatigue with disability (r=0.45) p-value 0.001, pain (r=0.41) p-value (0.003) and sleep disturbances (r=0.49) p-value <0.001 whereas no correlation was found in Rheumatoid arthritis group. Conclusion: Fatigue is a very common symptom in both arthritic conditions. In osteoarthritis, moderate correlation was seen between fatigue and disability, pain and sleep disturbance. However, a weak correlation was found in rheumatoid group.