Predictors of subjective fatigue among individuals with rheumatoid arthritis

Objective. To examine a range of variables potentially associated with rheu matoid arthritis (RA)-related fatigue and to determine which variables best predict subjective fatigue. Methods. Measures of fatigue, disease activity, pain, and various psychosoc ial factors were gathered from 73 individuals with RA, Correlations between fatigue and other variables were examined, and the "best" predictors of fa tigue were determined with multiple regression analyses. Results. Many of the variables that were significantly correlated with fati gue had a psychosocial character. Moreover, the "best" predictors of increa sed fatigue were higher levels of pain, more depressive symptoms, and femal e sex. Longer symptom duration, less perceived adequacy of social support, and less disease activity were significant predictors of fatigue, over and above the "best" model. Conclusion. RA-related fatigue appears to be strongly associated with psych osocial variables, apart from disease activity per se. Correspondingly, tre atment of fatigue may be enhanced by interventions that address relevant co gnitive and behavioral dimensions.