Key result
Early post-MI fatigue predicts long-term physical quality of life and persists in ~30% without depression.
Observational (n=155)
Fatigue remains a significant symptom two years after myocardial infarction in nearly half of patients, highlighting the need for systematic screening and management strategies.
Fatigue screening post-MI may identify QoL risk; hypothesis-generating for targeted interventions in future trials.
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To investigate changes in self-reported fatigue and depression from four months to two years following a myocardial infarction, as well as to explore gender differences, identify the incidence of fatigue without coexisting depression and finally predict health-related quality of life at a two-year follow-up. BACKGROUND: Depression and fatigue are associated with decreased health-related quality of life after myocardial infarction. Although there is a close relationship between fatigue and depression, it has been shown that symptoms of fatigue can occur without coexisting depression. DESIGN: Quantitative and longitudinal design. METHODS: Participants (n = 155) were asked to complete the following questionnaires: the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory-20 (MFI-20) and the Short Form Survey (SF-36) following myocardial infarction (after four months and two years). Descriptive statistics, paired t-tests and multiple regressions were carried out. RESULTS: In the entire group, self-reported fatigue had decreased from four months to two years after myocardial infarction. After two years, 18% of respondents reported depression together with fatigue and 30% reported fatigued without depression. Women scored higher than men on the fatigue dimensions reduced activity, reduced motivation and mental fatigue. Moreover, the physical dimension of health-related quality of life two years after myocardial infarction was predicted by experienced general fatigue at four months. CONCLUSION: Fatigue with or without coexisting possible/probable depression remains as a significant symptom two years after myocardial infarction in nearly half of the entire group. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Fatigue is a problem following myocardial infarction. Therefore, systematic screening and early identification of patients experiencing symptoms of depression and fatigue after myocardial infarction are important for suitable care planning. In contemporary coronary care, strategies aimed at relieving fatigue should be developed.
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Alsén et al. (2013) conducted an observational in myocardial infarction (n=155). Time post-myocardial infarction was evaluated on Changes in self-reported fatigue and depression. Two years after myocardial infarction, 30% of patients experienced fatigue without depression and 18% experienced both, with early fatigue predicting long-term physical quality of life.
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