24 Nov 2023 • Fatigue is prevalent in people with inflammatory rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (I-RMDs) and recognised as one of the most challenging symptoms to manage. Four overarching principles (OAPs) and four recommendations were developed by a multidisciplinary taskforce comprising 26 members from 14 European countries to provide up-to-date guidance on fatigue management in people with I-RMDs.

• OAPs include health professionals’ awareness that fatigue encompasses multiple biological, psychological and social factors which should inform clinical care.
• Fatigue should be monitored and assessed, and people with I-RMDs should be offered management options.
• Recommendations include offering tailored physical activity and/or tailored psychoeducational interventions and/or, if clinically indicated, immunomodulatory treatment initiation or change.
• Patient-centred fatigue management should consider the individual’s needs and preferences, their clinical disease activity, comorbidities and other psychosocial and contextual factors through shared decision-making.

Source: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases | Read full story