Impact of fatigue and disability on health-related quality of life in CIDP: Results from an international survey.

INTRODUCTION

Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) is an immune-mediated disorder characterized by proximal and distal motor weakness and sensory deficits. This study investigated the impact of fatigue and disability on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in individuals with CIDP.

METHODS

Matched physician-patient data were analyzed from Adelphi's CIDP Disease Specific Programme™, an international survey conducted in France, Germany, Italy, and Spain (n = 199; April 2022-April 2023). Patients completed the FACIT-Fatigue, I-RODS (limitations in daily activities), and EQ-5D-5L (HRQoL) questionnaires. Physicians assessed disability using the INCAT score. Spearman correlations and multiple linear regression were used to assess associations between INCAT, I-RODS, FACIT-Fatigue, and EQ-5D-5L utilities.

RESULTS

Participants' mean age was 54.0 years (SD: 12.4); 62% were male. The mean EQ-5D-5L utility value was 0.65 (SD: 0.22). Moderate to severe fatigue was reported by 67.2% of patients, 27.7% reported substantial activity limitations, and 48.3% were rated as having moderate to severe disability. Greater disability (INCAT: r = -0.568; I-RODS: r = 0.770), and higher fatigue (FACIT-Fatigue: r = 0.799) were significantly correlated with lower HRQoL, as reflected by EQ-5D-5L utility values. In regression analysis, higher INCAT disability (β = -0.024, 95% CI [-0.036, -0.013]), higher I-RODS disability (β = 0.004, 95% CI [0.002, 0.005]), and more severe fatigue (β = 0.009, 95% CI [0.006, 0.012]) were all independently associated with lower HRQoL.

CONCLUSION

Both fatigue and disability were independently associated with reduced HRQoL in CIDP. These findings suggest that fatigue is an important consideration in the management of HRQoL, with further research needed to evaluate its potential as a therapeutic target.