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Seasonal variations in fatigue in persons with rheumatoid arthritis: a longitudinal study

Overview of attention for article published in BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, February 2016
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  • In the top 25% of all research outputs scored by Altmetric
  • High Attention Score compared to outputs of the same age (91st percentile)
  • High Attention Score compared to outputs of the same age and source (83rd percentile)

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2 news outlets
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19 Dimensions

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Title
Seasonal variations in fatigue in persons with rheumatoid arthritis: a longitudinal study
Published in
BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, February 2016
DOI 10.1186/s12891-016-0911-4
Pubmed ID
Authors

Caroline Feldthusen, Anna Grimby-Ekman, Helena Forsblad-d’Elia, Lennart Jacobsson, Kaisa Mannerkorpi

Abstract

Fatigue is a prominent symptom in persons with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Although this symptom has been described to vary in duration and frequency little is known about fluctuations in fatigue over time and season. The aim of this study was to describe monthly and seasonal variations in fatigue, in persons with RA of working age. Sixty-five participants diagnosed with RA and aged 20-65 years were recruited from a rheumatology clinic in Sweden. The participants provided self-assessments of their fatigue at seven time points during the four seasons using a 0-100 mm visual analogue scale (VAS) and the Bristol Rheumatoid Arthritis Fatigue Multidimensional Questionnaire (BRAF-MDQ). Multiple regression analysis using mixed models was used to analyze changes in fatigue over time. The mean ± SD of fatigue rated on the VAS was 51 ± 13, indicating substantial fatigue. Analysis of monthly variation showed statistically significant variation in fatigue ratings concerning VAS fatigue score (p < 0.01) as well as the BRAF-MDQ total score and Living, Cognition (p < 0.001), and Physical (p < 0.05) sub-scores, but not the BRAF-MDQ Emotional sub-score. The greatest variations were seen from January to September, with higher fatigue ratings in January. The changes in VAS fatigue scores over time were considered to be of clinical importance. Analysis of seasonal variation revealed a statistically significant seasonal variation in fatigue levels, with higher fatigue values during the winter as measured by VAS fatigue score (p < 0.01) as well as BRAF-MDQ total score (p < 0.01) and Physical and Living sub-scores (both p < 0.01). The greatest variation was seen between winter and autumn for VAS fatigue and between winter and summer for BRAF-MDQ total score and Physical and Living sub-scores. There were no statistical differences in fatigue levels, monthly or seasonal, between sexes or age groups. The majority of rating scales used in this study showed fluctuations in fatigue, general and physical fatigue being significantly greater during the winter. As fatigue is a substantial symptom in many persons with RA, this information is important for rheumatology professionals when dealing with persons with RA in routine care.

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Mendeley readers

Mendeley readers

The data shown below were compiled from readership statistics for 45 Mendeley readers of this research output. Click here to see the associated Mendeley record.

Geographical breakdown

Country Count As %
United Kingdom 1 2%
Unknown 44 98%

Demographic breakdown

Readers by professional status Count As %
Student > Master 11 24%
Student > Ph. D. Student 8 18%
Student > Bachelor 4 9%
Student > Doctoral Student 3 7%
Other 2 4%
Other 4 9%
Unknown 13 29%
Readers by discipline Count As %
Medicine and Dentistry 13 29%
Nursing and Health Professions 8 18%
Psychology 4 9%
Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutical Science 1 2%
Agricultural and Biological Sciences 1 2%
Other 2 4%
Unknown 16 36%
Attention Score in Context

Attention Score in Context

This research output has an Altmetric Attention Score of 17. This is our high-level measure of the quality and quantity of online attention that it has received. This Attention Score, as well as the ranking and number of research outputs shown below, was calculated when the research output was last mentioned on 22 July 2019.
All research outputs
#1,794,777
of 22,844,985 outputs
Outputs from BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders
#366
of 4,046 outputs
Outputs of similar age
#34,200
of 397,006 outputs
Outputs of similar age from BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders
#13
of 81 outputs
Altmetric has tracked 22,844,985 research outputs across all sources so far. Compared to these this one has done particularly well and is in the 92nd percentile: it's in the top 10% of all research outputs ever tracked by Altmetric.
So far Altmetric has tracked 4,046 research outputs from this source. They typically receive a little more attention than average, with a mean Attention Score of 7.1. This one has done particularly well, scoring higher than 90% of its peers.
Older research outputs will score higher simply because they've had more time to accumulate mentions. To account for age we can compare this Altmetric Attention Score to the 397,006 tracked outputs that were published within six weeks on either side of this one in any source. This one has done particularly well, scoring higher than 91% of its contemporaries.
We're also able to compare this research output to 81 others from the same source and published within six weeks on either side of this one. This one has done well, scoring higher than 83% of its contemporaries.