Fatigue and physical performance in the elderly aged 65 and over living in a nursing home

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate fatigue, physical performance and functional status in elderly aged 65 and over living in nursing home and to evaluate the influence of fatigue on functional status and physical performance in elderly. Methods: Fatigue was measured using the fatigue severity scale (FSS). Functional status was assessed using the functional independence measurement (FIM), The timed up and go test (TUG) and The five-times sit-to-stand test ( FTSS) were used to assess physical performance. Results: One hundred and ten individuals completed the study. Fatigue symtomps were found in 40 (36.3 %) older people aged 65 years and over. Higher fatigue was associated with lower FIM (p<0.05, r=0.251) and with lower TUG (p<0.05, r=0.353) and with lower FTSS (p<0.05, r= 0.312). Conclusions: Fatigue is a often symptom among older people living in nursing home. The results suggest that higher fatigue was associated with lower functional status and with lower physical performance in older people aged 65 and over.