Fatigue severity scale

Fatigue is extremely unpleasant and disabling symptom in the neurology and medicine. Most commonly, fatigue is nonspecific and highly subjective but still a prominent complaint in many patients. The Fatigue Severity Scale is established as a method of evaluating the impact of fatigue on an individual. The Fatigue Severity Scale was developed by Dr. Krupps in the late 1980s as a tool to evaluate fatigue in patients with multiple sclerosis and systemic lupus erythematosus.

The Fatigue Severity Scale questionnaire

One of the easiest methods to evaluate one’s level of fatigue is to answer a simple and short questionnaire. This sample survey consists of nine statements. The subject of the survey should value each statement giving it a score on a scale from one to seven. The subjects choose the level of agreement for each question. Low value indicates that the statement isn’t appropriate while the highest value indicates complete agreement.I am being exhausted easily.I am getting tired after exercise.When I am tired, I do not feel motivated.My constant tiredness affects my daily life and obligations.My tiredness is physically disabling.I am unable to carry out my duties, jobs and household tasks when I am tired.My tiredness puts off my normal physical performance.Tiredness and low energy obstructs my work, family, or social life.Tiredness is one of my three major disabling problems.The final score is calculated by summing the average response value to the questions. The questioner will add up all answers and divide with the number of questions. People with severe fatigue usually score 6.5 in average, while depressed people score somewhere about 4.5.

Multiple Sclerosis Fatigue Severity Scale

Fatigue is one of the most prominent symptoms of multiple sclerosis. It is estimated that approximately 75% to 95% of all MS patients suffer from fatigue that may be so severe to interfere with functioning, activities, quality of life, employment and psychological health.

Fatigue Severity Scale is commonly used in patients with multiple sclerosis. The scale is used to measure the impact of fatigue on patients everyday life and performing normal activities such as exercise, work and social life.

The Fatigue Severity Scale is especially useful in cases of multiple sclerosis as it may help to make a clear distinction between fatigue and clinical depression, since both share some of the same signs and symptoms. The Fatigue Severity Scale has become the most important instrument in studying fatigue in multiple sclerosis. Over half of all studies on the topic have used the scale since its inception.