An Analytical Study on Fatigue and its Associated Variables In Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in Korea

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This study was to investigate the level of fatigue and its associated variables in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE) in Korea. From March to June, 2001, 100 patients, registered at one university hospital rheumatology clinic in Seoul, were accepted as subjects for this study. The sampling method was adopted a non-probability, purposive technique. The instruments used for this study were The Multidimensional Assessment Fatigue scale developed by Tack and Beck Depression Instrument develped by Beck. The collected data were analyzed by SAS program using t-test, ANOVA with Scheffe-test, Pearson correlation coefficients and stepwise multiple regression. The results were as follows: 1. Total scores of fatigue of the subjects averaged $24.46(\pm10.85)$, degree of fatigue was $5.08(\pm2.29)$, and influence of fatigue was $3.52(\pm2.12)$. 2. Regarding characteristics, more depressive(p=.0001) and more painfuI(p=.0122) patients revealed more fatigue. Also, the subjects with spouse(p=.0337) and having poor quality of sleep(p=.0445) revealed more fatigue. 3. The subjects' total fatigue score, depression, pain and age was correlated positively(r=.53; r=.48; r=.24), and total fatigue score, and exercise time, quality of sleep was correlated negatively(r=-.45; r=-.21). 4. The main influencing factors on the fatigue were depression$(52.92\%)$ and quality of sleep $(8.10\%)$. These two main variables made it possible to explain $61.02\%$ of the varience in fatigue. In conclusion, this study revealed depression and quality of sleep is an important factor that can improve quality of life in patients with SLE. It is recommended that nursing intervention for SLE patients would be focused to decrease depression and to enhance quality of sleep.