Fatigue in patients after surgery for lower limb fractures at Nghe An Orthopaedic and Trauma Hospital: A cross-sectional study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.62992/vzvp5e81Keywords:
Fatigue, Lower limb fractures, Post-surgery, VietnamAbstract
Background: Fatigue is a subjective feeling that causes loss of ability to participate in normal activities after surgery and affects the patient's quality of life. Postoperative fatigue in patients undergoing lower limb fracture surgery is often overlooked in clinical research compared to pain management or wound healing.
Objectives: This study aimed to describe the fatigue status in patients after surgery for lower limb fractures at Nghe An Orthopaedic and Trauma Hospital; and identify some related factors to postoperative fatigue in patients with lower limb fractures.
Methods: A cross-sectional prospective study was conducted on 312 patients admitted to the Lower Limb Department Nghe An Orthopaedic and Trauma Hospital with closed lower limb fractures from Feb 2024 to April 2024. Fatigue level of patients was assessed using the Identity - Consequence Fatigue Scale (ICFS). The data were analysed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests, with a significance level set at P<0.05.
Results: The study showed that fatigue level of patients after surgery is predominantly at a moderate level (56.7%), and high (23.1%). Besides, female patients experienced fatigue levels 4.13 times higher than male patients (P = 0.003). Post-fracture patients experiencing high pain levels had 3.51 times higher fatigue levels compared to those with mild or moderate pain (P = 0.027), while patients with high anxiety levels after surgery had 3.77 times higher fatigue levels than those with mild or moderate anxiety (P = 0.035).
Conclusion: The study revealed that most patients experienced moderate to severe fatigue following surgery for lower extremity fractures. Furthermore, fatigue levels were notably higher among female patients, those suffering from intense pain, and individuals with elevated postoperative anxiety. Future studies should adopt a prospective design to assess changes in fatigue levels over time, providing insights for more comprehensive and effective patient care strategies.
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