Purpose: To determine the prevalence and predictors of fatigue in clinically stable primary brain tumor patients, we used objective and subjective measures and a cross-sectional design. Methods: Eighty-five brain tumor patients completed self-report measures of fatigue, sleep disturbance, mood and growth hormone deficiency. Objective measures of sleep, cognition and neurological function were carried out. Comparisons were made between patients with no-mild, moderate and severe fatigue. Results: Sixty-seven per cent of patients (n=57) were experiencing moderate or severe fatigue at the time of assessment. Statistically significant differences between no-mild, moderate and severe fatigue groups were found when examining percentage daytime activity (p=0.035), processing speed (p = 0.0006), anxiety (p=0.008), depression (p<0.0001), neurological function (p<0.0001), growth hormone deficiency (p<0.0001) and epileptic drug type (p=0.011). Memory, executive function and verbal fluency were not found to significantly differ across groups. Sleep duration and efficiency were not correlated with fatigue. Using regression analysis, anxiety and neurological function predictors were independently found to be associated with fatigue (p=0.017 and p=0.0003 respectively). Conclusions: Findings suggest neurological function and anxiety independently contribute to fatigue in stable brain tumor patients. A ‘neurological model’ may offer a better understanding of fatigue in the brain tumor population than a ‘cancer model’. This study supports the recommendation of a core data set for assessing fatigue that includes a measure of neurological function, alongside patient perceptions of causation (physical and mental fatigue). This may potentially be helpful in selecting treatment options or in interpretation of drug trials of fatigue.

Objective To investigate any association between fatigue and physical impairment/disability in stable cerebral glioma patients. Secondary aims were to explore the association of fatigue severity with sleep problems and depression and distinguishing physical from mental fatigue. Background Fatigue, an abnormal tiredness that negatively impacts daily functioning, is commonly reported in glioma patients and cause may be multi-factorial. It has not been studied in glioma patients. Methods Patients, attending a regional neuro-oncology clinic in Edinburgh, were recruited if they had cerebral glioma, "stable" imaging and were not receiving active treatment. After consent, the Brief Fatigue Inventory, KPS, Kurtzke EDSS, 10Metre Walk test, NHPT, Actiwatch, sleep log, ESS, and the HADs test were completed. Results 38 patients with (WHO grade I-IV) glioma, age range 22-69 year were recruited. Most patients were fatigued (73.7% reported a moderate-severe level). Physical and mental fatigue were equally prevalent and significant correlated. We did not find a significant association between the severity of fatigue and EDSS score or between EDSS and depression. However, an association was found between hours of sleep and fatigue severity. Discussion Assessing fatigue, mood, sleep, and physical status may be useful for better understanding of the needs of brain tumour patients. Although no association was found with physical disability, sleep disturbance where present may be treatable.

No abstract

No abstract