What Influences MS Fatigue?

A recent study, conducted by surveying a large international cohort of people with MS (n=2138; 82% female), identified a wide range of modifiable lifestyle factors that may reduce or contribute to clinically significant fatigue. Among the people surveyed, 65.4% report experiencing MS-related fatigue. Researchers found strong associations between fatigue in people with MS and diet, exercise, omega 3 supplementation, fish consumption, vitamin D supplementation, BMI, alcohol intake, and use of disease-modifying therapy (Weiland, 2015).

• Factors that increase odds of fatigue

After controlling for level of disability and socio-demographic variables, increased risk of fatigue was associated with poor diet, being overweight or obesity (increased odds of fatigue by 1.7 and 2.9 times, respectively), and current or previous use of a disease-modifying therapy (increased odds by 1.5 times). Additional lifestyle factors that increase risk of fatigue include lower levels of physical activity, alcohol consumption, and fish consumption (less than once/week).

• Factors that reduce odds of fatigue

After controlling for level of disability and socio-demographic variables, reduced risk of fatigue was associated with exercise, high levels of physical activity, moderate alcohol use, healthy diet, frequent fish consumption (three or more times/week), supplementation with vitamin D, omega 3, and flaxseed oil, normal BMI, and never using a disease-modifying therapy. Persons with MS who exercised vigorously three times a week or undertook mild or moderate exercise seven days a week were almost three times less likely to experience fatigue.

• Factors with little influence on fatigue

Researchers founds that meditation, social support, and current smoking were not associated with clinically significant fatigue after adjusting for stable factors.

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Living with MS: Reduce Risk of Fatigue with Diet and Exercise