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- Title
Diabetes Symptoms versus Glucose Levels and Fatigue in Women.
- Authors
Fritschi, Cynthia; Smith, Don; Watkins, Yashika; Quinn, Laurie
- Abstract
Fatigue is a pervasive complaint among patients with diabetes (DM), Fatigue is largely defined as a subjective and multifaceted phenomenon, but its non-specific nature makes diagnosis and treatment of the complaint difficult for clinicians. Clinical observations and research findings suggest that fatigue may be a key determinant of successful DM self-management; however, little is known about the physiologic and psychological variables associated with fatigue in this population. Patients with DM have cited fatigue among the top reasons for not participating in exercise. The goal of this pilot study was to explore the relationships between physiologic variables [hemoglobin A1c (A1c), fasting blood glucose (FBG), diabetes-related symptom burden] and subjective fatigue in women with type 2 DM. Subjective fatigue was assessed using the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory and the occurrence/burden of diabetes symptoms was assessed using the Diabetes Symptom Checklist. Fifteen African American women with non-insulin requiring type 2 DM and no self-reported history of cardiovascular disease participated in the study. Patient characteristics were as follows (mean ± SD): age (47.8 ± 6.93); diabetes duration (3.77 ± 2.82 years); A1c (7.65 ± 2.08%); BMI (36.7±4.57 kg/m²); FBG (155.8 ± 80.3 mg/dl). Pearson's correlations revealed significant associations between subjective fatigue and subjective diabetes-related symptoms (p < .05). Strong correlations were noted between the perceived burden of cardiac symptoms (r = .656), perceived burden of hypoglycemia (r = .537), perceived burden of hyperglycemia (r = .643) and fatigue (p< .05); however no significant relationship was noted between FBG or A1c and fatigue. Body mass index was also not associated with fatigue, although prior literature has reported this association. While laboratory measures of glycemia are important clinical tools, this study suggests that there might be less correlation between subjective fatigue and laboratory measures of glycemia than previously suspected. Thus, a holistic view of patient care needs to take into account subjective experiences of the patient as well as laboratory values.
- Subjects
DIABETES; BLOOD sugar; FATIGUE (Physiology); AFRICAN American women; HYPOGLYCEMIA; HYPERGLYCEMIA; DISEASES
- Publication
Diabetes, 2007, Vol 56, pA506
- ISSN
0012-1797
- Publication type
Article