Minimal Clinically Important Differences (MCID) for the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy Fatigue Scale in Patients with Systemic Sclerosis

Franciska Kiss, Nelli Farkas, Gabriella Nagy, Tünde Minier, Gábor Kumánovics, Réka Faludi, László Czirják and Cecília Varjú ()
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Franciska Kiss: Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Medical School, University of Pécs, H-7632 Pécs, Hungary
Nelli Farkas: Institute of Bioanalysis, Medical School, University of Pécs, H-7624 Pécs, Hungary
Gabriella Nagy: Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Medical School, University of Pécs, H-7632 Pécs, Hungary
Tünde Minier: Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Medical School, University of Pécs, H-7632 Pécs, Hungary
Gábor Kumánovics: Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Medical School, University of Pécs, H-7632 Pécs, Hungary
Réka Faludi: Heart Institute, Medical School, University of Pécs, H-7624 Pécs, Hungary
László Czirják: Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Medical School, University of Pécs, H-7632 Pécs, Hungary
Cecília Varjú: Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Medical School, University of Pécs, H-7632 Pécs, Hungary

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 20, issue 1, 1-18

Abstract: (1) Background: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is characterized by significant fatigue, causing diminished quality of life (QoL). The aim of this study was to examine fatigue levels and their associations with clinical factors and determine the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) value for the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy Fatigue Scale (FACIT-FS). (2) Methods: A total of 160 SSc patients and 62 individuals without SSc were followed-up over a 12-month period by measuring the FACIT-FS and the Visual Analogue Scale and the Short Form 36 Vitality Score analyzing changes in exhaustion. (3) Results: Fatigue was strongly correlated with HRQoL, level of pain, emotional disorders, physical capability and functionality. The MCID values for FACIT-FS were calculated as −3 for deterioration and +4 for improvement after a 12-month follow-up. The predictors of improvement of fatigue from baseline parameters were the significant disease activity, the patients’ poorer functionality and the short disease duration. Patients with scleroderma-related interstitial lung disease at baseline had approximately tripled risks for worsening fatigue. The independent influential factors regarding the changing of FACIT-FS were improving or worsening in the same direction in reference to physical condition, gastrointestinal and emotional factors. (4) Conclusions: Fatigue is a multi-dimensional symptom, which is strongly correlated to HRQoL. MCID values of FACIT-FS can be useful tools in monitoring the changes of HRQoL in clinical trials and in daily practice among patients with SSc.

Keywords: systemic sclerosis; fatigue; health-related quality of life; minimal clinically important difference; functional assessment of chronic illness therapy; fatigue scale (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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