| Autor: |
Pink I; Department of Respiratory Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany., Wiestler M; Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Infectious Diseases and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany., Pueschel L; Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Infectious Diseases and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany., Ruwisch J; Department of Respiratory Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany., Drick N; Department of Respiratory Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany., Boblitz L; Department of Respiratory Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany., Scharbau M; Department of Respiratory Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany., Welte T; Department of Respiratory Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany., Haufe S; Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Infectious Diseases and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany., Tegtbur U; Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Infectious Diseases and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany., Kück M; Department of Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany., Kerling A; Department of Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany., Beyer S; Department of Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany. |
| Abstrakt: |
Background/Objectives: A significant number of patients experience prolonged symptoms following COVID-19 in particular cases of fatigue. Yet, pathomechanisms of COVID-19-related fatigue remain unclear. Methods: This study investigated patients after confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection (PC) with relevant fatigue according to the Fatigue Assessment Scale (≥22 points) to rule out malnutrition as a driving factor for fatigue and to evaluate daily activity and sleep characteristics. Dietary behavior was recorded through food diaries and physical activity by self-reported (questionnaires) and objective (activity tracker) outcomes. Data were collected over a 7-day period and compared with a healthy control group (HC). A subgroup analysis of patients with fatigue and severe fatigue, as well as a sex-specific analysis, were included. Results: No significant differences in dietary intake were observed, but an indication toward a healthier Mediterranean diet in PC patients with a median Mediterranean Diet Score of 4 (IQR 3, 5) in HC vs. 5 (IQR 3, 6) in PC ( p = 0.24). There were also no differences in physical activity, either by objective or subjective measures. However, the median sleep duration was 49 min longer in PC patients ( p = 0.003). Conclusions: In conclusion, malnutrition did not significantly contribute to fatigue, yet patients with COVID-19-related fatigue showed increased sleep duration. As sleep characteristics play a crucial role in mental and physical wellbeing, the association of sleep, physical activity, and fatigue should be evaluated in further studies. |
