Visual Problems are Associated with Long-Term Fatigue after Stroke.
Synne Garder Pedersen, Mari Løkholm, Oddgeir Friborg and 4 others
PMID 36714984WHAT IT FOUND
Stroke survivors with pronounced visual problems were significantly more likely to report severe fatigue years after their stroke.
This association held even after adjusting for mood and energy levels. Clinicians should screen for visual deficits in fatigued patients, as treating vision issues may help reduce fatigue burden.
Key findings
01Severe fatigue affected 35% of stroke survivors 3–4 years post-stroke.
02Self-reported pronounced visual problems were independently associated with severe fatigue, with an odds ratio of 4.14.
03Lower scores in the 'energy' and 'mood' domains of quality of life were also independent predictors of severe fatigue.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTsWhat it means for SLPs
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What it does not show
The study relied on self-reported visual problems rather than clinical visual examinations, so the specific nature of the visual deficits (e.g., hemianopsia vs. neglect) is unknown. Non-response bias was present: older participants and those with more severe strokes were less likely to participate, meaning the results apply primarily to those with mild-to-moderate strokes and younger ages. The cross-sectional nature of the follow-up assessment means the study shows an association, not causation; it is unclear if visual problems cause fatigue or if fatigued patients perceive their vision as worse. The 'energy' domain of the SS-QOL may overlap with the concept of fatigue itself, potentially inflating the association between quality of life and fatigue scores.
Declared interests
None declared in the provided text.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume that all visual problems cause fatigue. The association was strongest for those with 'pronounced' visual problems; those with 'some' problems did not show a statistically significant increase in odds. Additionally, this study only looked at self-reported vision, not clinically verified deficits.