Contribution of Chronic Fatigue to Psychosocial Status and Quality of Life in Spanish Women Diagnosed with Endometriosis

Abstract

The authors are indebted to all participants, without whom this work would not have been possible. We are grateful to Ana Yara Postigo-Fuentes for her assistance with the English language. This paper is part of the thesis developed by A. Mundo-López in the Official Doctoral Program in Clinical Medicine and Public Health of the University of Granada. ; Aim: To analyze the levels of chronic fatigue in Spanish women with endometriosis and its relationship with their psychosocial status and quality of life (QoL). Methods: A total of 230 Spanish women with a clinical diagnosis of endometriosis were recruited. Chronic fatigue (Piper Fatigue Scale) and pelvic pain (Numeric Rating Scale) were evaluated. An on-line battery of validated scales was used to assess psychosocial status [Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Scale for Mood Assessment, Pain Catastrophizing Scale, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index, Female Sexual Function Index and Medical Outcomes Study-Social Support Survey] and QoL [Endometriosis-Health Profile questionnaire-30]. Associations between fatigue and both psychosocial and QoL outcomes were explored through multivariate regression models. Results: One-third and one-half of women showed moderate and severe fatigue, respectively. Fatigue was associated with higher anxiety and depression, poorer sleep quality, poorer sexual functioning, worse gastrointestinal health, higher catastrophizing thoughts, higher anger/hostility scores and lower QoL (p-values < 0.050). Moreover, fatigue and catastrophizing thoughts showed a mediating effect on the association between pelvic pain and QoL. Conclusion: This work reveals the important role of fatigue in the association between pain, psychosocial status, and QoL of Spanish women with endometriosis. ; Health Institute Carlos III (ISCIII)-FEDER PI17/01743 ; PAIDI group (Oncologia Basica y Clinica) funds CTS-206 ; University of Granada, Plan Propio de Investigacion 2016, Excellence action: Units of Excellence ; University of Granada, Plan Propio de Investigacion 2016, Excellence action: Unit of Excellence on Exercise and Health (UCEES) ; Junta de Andalucia SOMM17/6107/UGR ; European Union (EU) SOMM17/6107/UGR