Fatigue trajectory and its associated factors in patients after cardiac surgery: A longitudinal study

Background Fatigue is associated with multidimensional factors in heart failure patients. Investigating longitudinal changes in fatigue and its association in patients undergoing cardiac surgery is needed to create interventions for improving fatigue during recovery. Aims This study examined the trajectory of fatigue and its associated factors over time in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Methods This longitudinal study enrolled 125 patients undergoing cardiac surgery in northern Taiwan. Patients completed questionnaires before surgery, at discharge, and at 1, 3 and 6 months post‐discharge. Fatigue was measured using the General Fatigue Scale. Generalised estimating equation models were fitted to identify variables associated with fatigue over time. This study complied with the STROBE checklist. Results The sample (mean age = 60.70 ± 10.42) was mostly male (68%). High fatigue was found in 73.6% of patients before cardiac surgery and significantly decreased over the six months after discharge. NYHA III/IV, lower haemoglobin level, more symptom distress, poor sleep quality, higher anxiety and depression and lower social and family support were significantly associated with an increase in fatigue levels over time. Compared with before discharge, decreases in sleep quality at 1, 3 and 6 months were significantly associated with an increase in fatigue levels (p