Abstract
Purpose
To provide basic data for the health management of adults with prolonged fatigue, demographic characteristics, stress, sleep quality, and metabolic syndrome were compared between groups with and without prolonged fatigue.
Methods
Data of 370 adults (197 with Prolonged Fatigue [PF] and 173 without PF) from the 2014~2016 database of Korea Medicine Data Center were used. Fatigue, stress and sleep quality were measured with the revised Chalder Fatigue Scale, Psychosocial Well-being Index-Short Form, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, respectively. Metabolic syndrome was diagnosed according to the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III criteria.
Results
First, regarding demographic characteristics, there were significant differences in occupation, smoking, and Body Mass Index (BMI) between groups with and without PF. More of the participants with PF than those without PF were employed, and smokers. They were also more likely to be obese than the participants in the group without PF. Second, there were significant differences between the groups in terms of stress and sleep quality; the participants with PF showed higher stress and lower sleep quality than those without PF. Finally, the prevalence of metabolic syndrome was found to be higher in the participants with PF than those without PF.
Conclusion
Considering the characteristics of the participants with PF, it is necessary to develop nursing programs to improve stress, sleep quality, and metabolic syndrome to reduce fatigue. These kinds of nursing programs are particularly necessary for people who are smokers, obese and employed. |
