Assessment of Association between Fatigue and Disease Activity in Axial Spondyloarthritis

Abstract

Introduction: Spondyloarthritis (SpA) is a common disease characterised by chronic inflammatory pain and debilitating manifesting itself most often in stiffness. Fatigue is widely regarded as a cardinal manifestation of Axial SpA and is one of the three most frequently reported symptoms alongside pain and stiffness. This study sought to assess the association between fatigue and disease activity in axial spondyloarthritis. Aim of the study: The aim of this study is to assess the association between fatigue and disease activity in axial spondyloarthritis. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, BSMMU, from October 2021 to September 2022. A total of 48 patients fulfilling the ASAS criteria for Axial SpA were included. Data were collected through structured interviews, assessing socio-demographic parameters and disease history. Fatigue severity was measured using the FSS, and disease activity was evaluated with the ASDAS-CRP. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 24. Result: The majority of the studied patients (70.8%) had a normal BMI. The mean FSS score was significantly higher for patients with high and very high disease activity compared to those with inactive and low disease activity (p < 0.05). A significant association was found between disease activity and fatigue severity (p < 0.05). There is a statistically significant positive correlation between disease activity and fatigue severity (p < 0.05). A significant positive correlation was observed between the ASDAS-CRP score and the FSS score (r = +0.479, p = 0.001). Conclusion: Study results found that fatigue severity and disease activity score had significant positive linear association. Hence, it can be concluded that fatigue and disease activity have significant relationship in axial spondyloarthritis. Further large-scale multicenter research is warranted.