Chapter 9: Fatigue: Fatigue Measurement

Assessment also can focus on any of the numerous potential etiologies and relevant comorbidities that characterize fatigue in the medically ill.

Table 6.2: Potential Etiologies and Relevant Comorbidities Considered for Measurement in Studies of Fatigue
Variable	Types	Examples of Measurements
Medical/Physical
Primary Disease Severity	Extent of disease Degree of organ failure	Stage (cancer) Ejection fraction (heart failure) FEV1 (lung disease)
Primary Therapy	Chemotherapy Surgery	Type and timing Type and timing
Metabolic Disorders	Anemia Electrolytes disturbances Malnutrition	Hemoglobin Electrolyte, calcium Weight,calorie count, skin fold thickness
Presence of infection	---	Record diagnosis and severity
Cardiopulmonary Disorders	Comorbid CHF, COPD	Record diagnosis PO2, pulse oximetry, ejection fraction, FEV1
Renal Disorders	Comorbid insufficiency	Record diagnosis Creatinine clearance
Hepatic Disorders	Comorbid insufficiency	Record diagnosis Albumen, bilirubin, liver function tests
Neuromuscular Disorders	Neuropathy Myopathy	Record diagnosis Dynamometry Electrodiagnostic studies
Centrally-Acting Drugs	Opioids Sedative/hypnotics	Medication diary
Sleep Disorder	---	Sleep questionnaire
Other Symptoms	Pain Dyspnea	Symptom questionnaire
Deconditioning		Performance status or function questionnaire 50' or 12 minute walk test
Psychological/Social
Mood disorder	Depression	Psychological distress, depression, or anxiety questionnaire