The relationship between fatigue severity, functional exercise capacity and quality of life in patients with primary immunodeficency

Purpose: Primary immunodeficiency (PI) is a clinically, immunologically, and genetically heterogeneous group of diseases resulting from quantitative and/or qualitative deficiencies of one or more cellular and molecular components of the immune system. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between fatigue severity, functional exercise capacity and quality of life in patients with PI.

Materials and Methods: Twenty individuals with a diagnosis of PI were included in the study. Fatigue perception was determined by Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS). The exercise capacity of was evaluated with a 1-minute sit-to-stand test (1 STS). The short-form 36 (SF-36) questionnare was also applied.

Results: The mean age of patients with PI is 41.7±10.5 years (11F/9M). Patients continue their lives with the diagnosis of PI for an average of 8 years. The FSS score  was significantly correlated with 1-STS score (p=0.015)(r=-0.538) and SF-36-vitality (p=0.004)(r=-0.612), social function (p=0)(r=-0.746), emotional role restriction (p=0.027)(r=-0.494), physical function (p=0.024)(r=-0.502), physical role restriction (p=0.01)(r=-0.564) scores in patients with PI.

Discussion: The increased severity of fatigue is related with impaired functional capacity and quality of life in patients diagnosed with PI. Physiotherapists should take into account interventions for reducing fatigue severity in clinical decision-making process of pulmonary rehabilitation in these patient group.