Self-Report Measures of Fatigue for People With Multiple Sclerosis: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Background and Purpose: The symptom of fatigue impairs function in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). Choosing appropriate measures to assess fatigue is challenging. The purpose of this article is to report the findings of a systematic review of patient-reported fatigue measures for people with MS. Methods: PubMed, CINAHL, and Embase databases were searched through January 2020 using terms related to fatigue and MS. Studies were included if the sample size was 30 or more or smaller samples if adequately powered, and if information about measurement characteristics (ie, test-retest reliability, content validity, responsiveness, interpretability, or generalizability) of the measure(s) could be extracted. Study quality was appraised with the 2-point COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) checklist. Data about measurement characteristics, psychometrics, and clinical utility were extracted and results were synthesized. Results: Twenty-four articles met inclusion criteria with information about 17 patient-reported fatigue measures. No studies had critical methodologic flaws. Measurement characteristic data were not available for all measures. Clinical utility varied in time to complete and fatigue domains assessed. Discussion and Conclusions: Five measures had data pertaining to all properties of interest. Of these, only the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS) and Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) had excellent reliability, responsiveness data, no notable ceiling/floor effects, and high clinical utility. We recommend the MFIS for comprehensive measurement and the FSS for screening of subjective fatigue in people with MS. Video Abstract available for more insights from the authors (see the Video, Supplemental Digital Content 1, available at: http://links.lww.com/JNPT/A443).

Long-Term Consequences of COVID-19 in Predominantly Immunonaive Patients: A Canadian Prospective Population-Based Study

“…The list of symptoms investigated was based on a 25-symptom list established by the Quebec COVID-19 Biobank (“Biobanque Québécoise de la COVID-19”) [ 13 ]. Fatigue in adult participants was examined using the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) and the Schedule of Fatigue and Anergia/General Practice (SOFA/GP) [ 14 , 15 ].…”

Usefulness of the MFIS-K, FSS, and FACIT-F Fatigue Scales in Korean Patients With MS, NMOSD, and MOGAD

“…Several useful tools have been used globally for characterizing fatigue in MS, such as the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) and Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS). 4 In contrast, the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy–Fatigue (FACIT-F) has not been commonly used in MS, but this was recently validated in Spanish patients with MS. 5 Fatigue has been assessed in patients with NMOSD using the FSS, MFIS, and FACIT-F in heterogeneous studies. 6 7 8 9 Only three studies conducted in the United States and United Kingdom have used the MFIS for assessing fatigue in patients with MOGAD.…”