Abstract
Background Fatigue is prevalent in people with inflammatory rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (I-RMDs) and recognised as one of the most challenging symptoms to manage [1]. The existence of multiple factors associated with fatigue, the lack of clarity around underlying pathophysiological mechanisms and the limited evidence about what helps have led to a multifaceted and often fragmented approach to symptom management. However, there are no recommendations for fatigue management in people with I-RMDs, and this lack of guidance has been challenging for those living with fatigue as well as for healthcare professionals delivering clinical care.
Objectives To develop EULAR recommendations for the management of fatigue in people with I-RMDs.
Methods A multi-disciplinary taskforce comprising 26 members from 14 European countries was convened and two systematic reviews were conducted. The taskforce developed recommendations based on evidence from the systematic reviews and taskforce members’ personal and professional experience of fatigue in I-RMDs.
Results Four overarching principles and four recommendations were developed (Table 1), including health professionals’ awareness that fatigue should be monitored and assessed and that people with I-RMDs should be offered management options. Shared decisions about fatigue management should consider the needs and preferences of individuals, their clinical disease activity, comorbidities and other psychosocial and contextual factors (Table 1).
Conclusion These 2023 EULAR recommendations provide consensus and up-to-date guidance on the management of fatigue in people with I-RMDs.Reference [1]Dures E, et al. Fatigue in inflammatory arthritis. Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol 2020;34. View this table:Table 1.
Objectives To develop EULAR recommendations for the management of fatigue in people with I-RMDs.
Methods A multi-disciplinary taskforce comprising 26 members from 14 European countries was convened and two systematic reviews were conducted. The taskforce developed recommendations based on evidence from the systematic reviews and taskforce members’ personal and professional experience of fatigue in I-RMDs.
Results Four overarching principles and four recommendations were developed (Table 1), including health professionals’ awareness that fatigue should be monitored and assessed and that people with I-RMDs should be offered management options. Shared decisions about fatigue management should consider the needs and preferences of individuals, their clinical disease activity, comorbidities and other psychosocial and contextual factors (Table 1).
Conclusion These 2023 EULAR recommendations provide consensus and up-to-date guidance on the management of fatigue in people with I-RMDs.Reference [1]Dures E, et al. Fatigue in inflammatory arthritis. Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol 2020;34. View this table:Table 1.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 437-438 |
| Journal | Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases |
| Volume | 82 |
| Issue number | Suppl 1 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2023 |