Background/Aims:
Post-stroke fatigue is one of the most prevalent post-stroke complications. Prevalence of and factors associated with post-stroke fatigue in stroke survivors in Singapore has not been established. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of and the factors associated with post-stroke fatigue in stroke survivors in Singapore and to examine the differences in fatigue between residential and community-dwelling stroke survivors.
Methods:
A cross-sectional, observational study recruiting 146 residential and community-dwelling stroke survivors. Fatigue was measured using the Fatigue Assessment Scale (FAS). Secondary assessments such as the Multidimensional State Boredom Scale (MSBS), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) were used to measure state boredom, daytime sleepiness, and sleep quality respectively. Associations between baseline characteristics, secondary assessments and fatigue were calculated.
Results:
Prevalence of fatigue in stroke survivors in Singapore was found to be 42.5%, with most of them experiencing mild-moderate levels of fatigue (37.0%). Physical fatigue was found to contribute greater than mental fatigue (p<0.001). There were no significant between-group differences in fatigue levels between community and residential stroke survivors (p=0.144). Significant correlation was found between MSBS scores (p<0.001), ESS scores (p=0.005), PSQI scores (p<0.001)and FAS scores. No significant correlation was found between baseline characteristics (p>0.05), neurological factors (p>0.05) and FAS scores.
Conclusion:
Post-stroke fatigue is highly prevalent in Singapore stroke survivors, and they mostly suffer mild-moderate fatigue. Boredom, daytime sleepiness, and sleep quality were found to be associated to post-stroke fatigue.