Unexplained Fatigue in the Healthy Population: The Role of Depression, Sleep, and Social Factors

INTRODUCTION: Fatigue is characterised as a feeling of exhaustion that arises with a reduction in the ability to engage in physical or mental activities. This study aims to examine the root causes of fatigue symptoms and associated demographic characteristics among persons devoid of any underlying medical disorders.
METHODS: The study included 125 patients who visited the outpatient neurology clinic reporting fatigue. Data was collected using the Chalder Fatigue Scale (CFS), the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI).
RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 46.01 ± 12.10 years, with 67.2% (n=84) being female. The prevalence of individuals who were married (p=0.002), employed (p=0.004), and possessed a university degree (p=0.033) was greater among women compared to men. Elevated BDI scores were (OR: 1.192, 95% CI: 1.057–1.337, p=0.003) and PSQI scores (OR: 1.782, 95% CI: 1.376–2.192, p<0.001) significantly associated with higher fatigue severity. The CFS ratings were significantly elevated in individuals with a university degree relative to those with primary education (OR: 3.032, 95% CI: 1.099–8.122, p=0.031). Unemployment was associated with a markedly reduced probability of experiencing fatigue (OR: 0.083, 95% CI: 0.032-0.232, p<0.001).
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrated that elevated educational attainment, unemployment, compromised sleep quality, and heightened depression were associated with fatigue symptoms. The data demonstrate that weariness is associated not only with physiological aspects but also highly impacted by psychological and social factors.

Keywords: Fatigue, depression, sleep disorder, anxiety.