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Comparative Study
. 2012;58(3):249-57.
doi: 10.1159/000332214. Epub 2011 Nov 15.

Multidimensional predictors of fatigue among octogenarians and centenarians

Jinmyoung Cho  1 , Peter Martin, Jennifer Margrett, Maurice MacDonald, Mary Ann Johnson, Leonard W Poon; Georgia Centenarian Study; S M Jazwinski, R C Green, M Gearing, J L Woodard, J S Tenover, I C Siegler, C Rott, W L Rodgers, D Hausman, J Arnold, A Davey
Affiliations
Comparative Study

Multidimensional predictors of fatigue among octogenarians and centenarians

Jinmyoung Cho et al. Gerontology. 2012.

Abstract

Background: Fatigue is a common and frequently observed complaint among older adults. However, knowledge about the nature and correlates of fatigue in old age is very limited.

Objective: This study examined the relationship of functional indicators, psychological and situational factors and fatigue for 210 octogenarians and centenarians from the Georgia Centenarian Study.

Methods: Three indicators of functional capacity (self-rated health, instrumental activities of daily living, physical activities of daily living), two indicators of psychological well-being (positive and negative affect), two indicators of situational factors (social network and social support), and a multidimensional fatigue scale were used. Blocked multiple regression analyses were computed to examine significant factors related to fatigue. In addition, multi-group analysis in structural equation modeling was used to investigate residential differences (i.e., long-term care facilities vs. private homes) in the relationship between significant factors and fatigue.

Results: Blocked multiple regression analyses indicated that two indicators of functional capacity, self-rated health and instrumental activities of daily living, both positive and negative affect, and social support were significant predictors of fatigue among oldest-old adults. The multiple group analysis in structural equation modeling revealed a significant difference among oldest-old adults based on residential status.

Conclusion: The results suggest that we should not consider fatigue as merely an unpleasant physical symptom, but rather adopt a perspective that different factors such as psychosocial aspects can influence fatigue in advanced later life.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Conceptual frame work: influencing factors and fatigue as a symptom. PADL = Physical activities of daily living; IADL = instrumental activities of daily living. Adapted from Chen et al. [30].
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
The relationships among fatigue, functional capacity (self-rated health, instrumental activities of daily living, physical activities of daily living), psychological factors (positive affect, negative affect), and situational factors (social network, social support) among private home residents. Note: Path coefficients are standardized parameter estimates and significant paths are displayed by solid lines. Nonsignificant paths are displayed by broken lines. SRH = Self-rated health; PADL = physical activities of daily living; IADL = instrumental activities of daily living; PA = positive affect; NA = negative affect; SN = social network; SS = social support. ** p < 0.01; *** p < 0.001.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
The relationships among fatigue, functional capacity (self-rated health, instrumental activities of daily living, physical activities of daily living), psychological factors (positive affect, negative affect), and situational factors (social network, social support) among long-term care residents. Note: Path coefficients are standardized parameter estimates and significant paths are displayed by solid lines. Nonsignificant paths are displayed by broken lines. SRH = Self-rated health; PADL = physical activities of daily living; IADL = instrumental activities of daily living; PA = positive affect; NA = negative affect; SN = social network; SS = social support. * p < 0.05; ** p < 0.01; *** p < 0.001.
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