Evaluating fatigue and excessive daytime sleepiness: a comparative analysis of prevalence and correlating factors in interstitial lung disease patients and healthy controls.

INTRODUCTION

Fatigue and excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) frequently affect interstitial lung disease (ILD) patients, while studies are limited. The study aims to determine the prevalence and contributing factors of fatigue and EDS in ILD patients.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional study. Consecutive patients diagnosed with ILD at the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University were recruited, and healthy volunteers were recruited as controls. Fatigue Assessment Scale and Epworth Sleepiness Scale scores were the basis for judging fatigue and EDS. The prevalence of fatigue and EDS between ILD patients and healthy volunteers were compared, and the differences in clinical characteristics between ILD patients with and without fatigue/EDS were analyzed. Binary logistic regression was used to analyze the correlation factors of fatigue and EDS.

RESULTS

In this study, 92 healthy volunteers and 108 ILD patients were recruited. The prevalence of fatigue and EDS was higher in ILD patients than in healthy volunteers (40.7% vs 9.8%, 35.2% vs 14.1%). ILD patients with fatigue showed significantly worse pulmonary diffusion function and exercise tolerance, alongside reduced quality of life, and increased instances of EDS, anxiety, and depression. Patients with EDS were older than non-EDS patients (68.5 vs 61.5 years;  = 0.038) and had a higher prevalence of fatigue and depression, along with decreased quality of life. Multivariable logistic regression identified chest pain/oppression and diminished exercise capacity as factors linked to fatigue, and age over 60 years and diminished exercise capacity as factors associated with EDS.

CONCLUSION

ILD patients experience a higher prevalence and more severe impact of fatigue and EDS than healthy individuals, with associated factors including chest pain, diminished exercise capacity, and age. Pulmonary rehabilitation and evaluation and intervention of factors associated with fatigue and EDS such as pain, and diminished exercise capacity in ILD patients may help to improve the quality of life.