Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2022 May;20(5):995-1009.e7.doi: 10.1016/j.cgh.2021.06.034. Epub 2021 Jun 30.

Adrijana D'Silva ¹, Danielle E Fox ¹, Yasmin Nasser ², Jeff K Vallance ³, Robert R Quinn ⁴, Paul E Ronksley ¹, Maitreyi Raman ⁵

Author information

¹Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

²Snyder Institute of Chronic Disease, Department of Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

³Faculty of Health Disciplines, Athabasca University, Alberta, Canada.

⁴Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Division of Nephrology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

⁵Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Electronic address: mkothand@ucalgary.ca.

Abstract

Background and aims: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic relapsing and remitting disease with high morbidity, substantial health care costs, and increasing incidence. Fatigue is one of the most common symptoms that impacts quality of life and is a leading concern for patients with IBD. The aim of this study was to determine the global prevalence, risk factors, and impact of fatigue in adults with IBD.

Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted. Data were retrieved from Medline, Embase, CINAHL, and PsycINFO from database inception to October 2019. A pooled prevalence of fatigue was calculated using a random-effects model. Stratified meta-analyses explored sources of between-study heterogeneity. Study quality was assessed using an adapted checklist from Downs and Black.

Results: The search yielded 4524 studies, of which 20 studies were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis. Overall, the studies were of good quality. The pooled prevalence of fatigue was 47% (95% confidence interval, 41%-54%), though between-study heterogeneity was high (I² = 98%). Fatigue prevalence varied significantly by the definition of fatigue (chronic: 28%; high: 48%; P < .01) and disease status (active disease: 72%; remission: 47%; P < .01). Sleep disturbance, anxiety, depression, and anemia were the most commonly reported fatigue-related risk factors.

Conclusions: The prevalence of fatigue in adults with IBD is high, emphasizing the importance of additional efforts to manage fatigue to improve the care and quality of life for patients with IBD.