The Unidimensional Fatigue Impact Scale (U-FIS) is a disease-specific patient-reported outcome measure which measures the impact of multiple sclerosis related fatigue. [1] It is a 22-item unidimensional scale which is based on needs-based quality of life theory. [1]
The U-FIS was developed by Galen Research and published in 2009. [1] It was derived from the Fatigue Impact Scale, a scale identified by the Multiple Sclerosis Council for Clinical Practice Guidelines “as the most appropriate for assessing the impact of MS-related fatigue on quality of life”. [2]
Data from the FIS went through Rasch analysis and additional items were added from interviews with multiple sclerosis patients. The U-FIS was then tested for validity via patient interviews and a validation survey. [1]
The U-FIS has been translated and validated into eight different language versions: Canadian English, Canadian French, German, Swedish, Italian, French, US English and Spanish. [3]
It has been recommended for use in determining fatigue impact by an independent meta analysis [4] and has also been utilized in a study investigating the role of neuroticism, perfectionism and depression in chronic fatigue syndrome. [5]
Fatigue describes a state of tiredness or exhaustion. In general usage, fatigue often follows prolonged physical or mental activity. When fatigue occurs independently of physical or mental exertion, or does not resolve after rest or sleep, it may have other causes, such as a medical condition.
Alemtuzumab, sold under the brand names Campath and Lemtrada among others, is a medication used to treat chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and multiple sclerosis. In CLL, it has been used as both a first line and second line treatment. In MS it is generally only recommended if other treatments have not worked. It is given by injection into a vein.
Sulbutiamine (brand names Arcalion, Enerion) is a synthetic derivative of thiamine (vitamin B1). In France, it is used to treat symptoms of weakness or fatigue. It is also sold as a dietary supplement. Sulbutiamine was discovered in Japan as part of an effort to develop useful thiamine derivatives.
A patient-reported outcome (PRO) is a health outcome directly reported by the patient who experienced it. It stands in contrast to an outcome reported by someone else, such as a physician-reported outcome, a nurse-reported outcome, and so on. PRO methods, such as questionnaires, are used in clinical trials or other clinical settings, to help better understand a treatment's efficacy or effectiveness. The use of digitized PROs, or electronic patient-reported outcomes (ePROs), is on the rise in today's health research setting.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory demyelinating disease that affects the central nervous system (CNS). Several therapies for it exist, although there is no known cure.
Multiple sclerosis can cause a variety of symptoms: changes in sensation (hypoesthesia), muscle weakness, abnormal muscle spasms, or difficulty moving; difficulties with coordination and balance; problems in speech (dysarthria) or swallowing (dysphagia), visual problems, fatigue and acute or chronic pain syndromes, bladder and bowel difficulties, cognitive impairment, or emotional symptomatology. The main clinical measure in progression of the disability and severity of the symptoms is the Expanded Disability Status Scale or EDSS.
In general, quality of life is the perceived quality of an individual's daily life, that is, an assessment of their well-being or lack thereof. This includes all emotional, social and physical aspects of the individual's life. In health care, health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is an assessment of how the individual's well-being may be affected over time by a disease, disability or disorder.
The Migraine Specific Quality of Life (MSQoL) is a patient-reported outcome measure which assesses the quality of life of migraineurs. It is a 25-item questionnaire which is filled out by the patient and is used to determine how the patient's life has been affected by their migraines.
The Ankylosing Spondylitis Quality of Life (ASQoL) questionnaire is a patient-reported outcome (PRO) measure which assesses the quality of life of patients with ankylosing spondylitis. The ASQoL is based on the needs-based quality of life model. It is a self-administered questionnaire which contains 18 items and takes up to four minutes to complete.
The Quality of Life Assessment of Growth Hormone Deficiency in Adults (QoL-AGHDA) is a disease specific patient-reported outcome measure which measures the effect growth hormone deficiency has on adult patients. The score of the QoL-AGHDA is used to determine the extent to which growth hormone deficiency has affected the patient’s quality of life, and what treatment can then be administered. A high score on the QoL-AGHDA indicates that the patient suffers from many symptoms and therefore has a lower quality of life.
The Cambridge Pulmonary Hypertension Outcome Review (CAMPHOR) is a disease specific patient-reported outcome measure which assesses quality of life of patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH). It was the first pulmonary hypertension specific questionnaire for assessing patient reported symptoms, quality of life and functioning.
The Patient Reported Outcome Indices for Multiple Sclerosis (PRIMUS) is a disease specific patient-reported outcome questionnaire which measures the quality of life (QoL) of patients with multiple sclerosis.
The Asthma Life Impact Scale (ALIS) measure is a disease specific patient reported outcome questionnaire which assesses the impact that asthma has on a patient’s quality of life.
The Nottingham Health Profile (NHP) is a general patient reported outcome measure which seeks to measure subjective health status.
The Quality of Life In Depression Scale (QLDS), originally proposed by Sonja Hunt and Stephen McKenna, is a disease specific patient-reported outcome which assesses the impact that depression has on a patient's quality of life. It is the most commonly used measure of quality of life in clinical trials and studies of depression. The QLDS was developed as a measure to be used in future clinical trials of anti-depressant therapy.
The Quality of Life Index for Atopic Dermatitis (QoLIAD) is a disease specific patient reported outcome which measures the impact that atopic dermatitis (AD) has on a given patient's quality of life.
The Psoriasis Index of Quality of Life (PSORIQoL) is a patient-reported outcome measure which determines the quality of life of patients with psoriasis. It is based on a needs-based approach to quality of life.
The Recurrent Genital Herpes Quality of Life (RGHQoL) measure is a patient-reported outcome measure which determines the impact that recurrent genital herpes has on a patient’s quality of life. It is a 20 item questionnaire with items such as “Herpes makes it difficult for me to plan ahead” and “I worry that sex will trigger an outbreak.”. Lower scores on the RGHQoL indicate a higher negative impact on quality of life.
George Jelinek is an Australian doctor who is professor and founder, Neuroepidemiology Unit, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health. This unit expressly evaluates modifiable risk factors that predict the progression of Multiple sclerosis. He has served since 2017 as the Chief Editor for Neuroepidemiology in the journal Frontiers in Neurology, and he was Founding Editor – and is currently the Editor Emeritus – for Emergency Medicine Australasia. Jelinek also has the distinction of being the first Professor of Emergency Medicine in Australasia. Between 1987 and 2018, he published more than 150 peer-reviewed papers, seven book forewords and eight books, and received more than 20 research grants. He is a frequent invited speaker.