Fatigue and lethargy in palliative care

Abstract

Fatigue is a particularly vague, yet significant symptom, which is commonly encountered in primary care. It affects a wide range of patients and has many causes. With an ageing population, fatigue is more likely to be multifactorial towards the end of a person’s life, and this can provide challenges in recognition and management. Patients are often incapacitated due to their fatigue and helping to manage it can lead to an improved quality of life. This article aims to briefly summarise the symptoms of fatigue, how to recognise it and the various causes. Current literature on the management of fatigue in end-of-life care, including pharmacological options, is critically reviewed.