Summary:
This study determined long-term health outcomes (≥10 years) of Q-fever fatigue syndrome (QFS). Longterm health complaints, health-related quality of life (HRQL), health status, energy level, fatigue, post exertional malaise, anxiety and depression were assessed. Outcomes and determinants were studied for the total sample and compared among age subgroups: young (<40y), middle-aged (≥40-<65y), and older
(≥65y) patients.
368 QFS patients were included. Participants reported a median number of 12.0 long-term health complaints. Their HRQL (median EQ-5D-5L index: 0.63) and health status (median EQ VAS: 50.0) were low, their level of fatigue was high, and many experienced post-exertional malaise complaints (98.9%). Young and middle-aged patients reported worse health outcomes compared to older patients, with both groups reporting a significantly worse health status, higher fatigue levels and anxiety, and more post-exertional malaise complaints; and middle-aged patients having a lower HRQL and a higher risk of depression.
Multivariate regression analyses confirmed that older age is associated with better outcomes, except for the number of health complaints. QFS has thus a considerable impact on patients’ health more than 10 years after infection. Young and middle-aged patients experience more long-term health consequences compared to older patients. Tailored healthcare is recommended to provide optimal care for each QFS patient.
Source: Spronk, I., Brus, I., Groot, A., Tieleman, P., Olde Loohuis, A., Haagsma, J., & Polinder, S. (2023). Long-term health outcomes of Q-fever fatigue syndrome patients. Epidemiology & Infection, 1-35. doi:10.1017/S0950268823001401 https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/epidemiology-and-infection/article/longterm-health-outcomes-of-qfever-fatigue-syndrome-patients/99B3D80E172A66619C216506E020BB02 (Full text available as PDF file)