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. 2022 Dec;27(8):685-702.
doi: 10.1177/17449871211061048. Epub 2022 Jul 5.

The impact of Inflammatory Bowel Disease related fatigue on Health-Related Quality of Life: a qualitative semi-structured interview study

Shellie J Radford  1 , Gordon W Moran  2 , Wladyslawa Czuber-Dochan  3
Affiliations

The impact of Inflammatory Bowel Disease related fatigue on Health-Related Quality of Life: a qualitative semi-structured interview study

Shellie J Radford et al. J Res Nurs. 2022 Dec.

Abstract

Background: Fatigue is a frequently reported symptom of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), having a negative impact on Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL). Patients' experiences of this have not been researched in IBD.

Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with adults with Crohn's Disease from out-patient clinics in the United Kingdom. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim, then analysed using thematic analysis.

Results: Fourteen participant interviews were conducted. Three key themes were identified: 1) 'The new normal' established through adaptation and acceptance; 2) 'Energy as a resource' describing attempts to better manage fatigue through planning and prioritising tasks; 3) 'Keeping healthy' encompasses participants' beliefs that 'good health' allows better management of fatigue.

Conclusion: Participants establish a 'new' normality, through maintaining the same or similar level of employment/education activities. However, this is often at the expense of social activities. Further research is required to explore patient led self-management interventions in IBD fatigue.

Keywords: Crohn’s disease; fatigue; health related quality of life; inflammatory bowel disease; interview.

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Conflict of interest statement

The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Main themes and sub-themes.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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