SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-The Effect of Anemia on Mental Fatigability in Hospitalized Adults

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This study examined whether anemia is linked to greater mental fatigability in hospitalized adults. Mental fatigability refers to how easily a person becomes mentally tired during activity and is relevant in hospitalized patients because it can affect both physical activity and cognitive function, which are important for recovery.<br /><br />Researchers enrolled 832 general medicine inpatients at an urban academic medical center who had hemoglobin (Hb) levels of 10 g/dL or less. Mental fatigability was measured at admission using the Pittsburgh Fatigability Scale (PFS), where higher scores indicate greater fatigability. Clinical data and Hb values, including nadir Hb during hospitalization, were obtained from hospital databases. The team used linear regression to assess the relationship between Hb level and mental fatigability.<br /><br />The results showed that lower Hb levels were associated with higher mental fatigability. Compared with patients whose Hb was 10–9 g/dL, fatigability increased as Hb declined, with significant associations seen in several lower Hb groups: 9–8 g/dL (β 2.4, p=0.05), 7–6 g/dL (β 3.0, p=0.02), and less than 6 g/dL (β 4.0, p=0.04). The 8–7 g/dL group showed a non-significant association (β -1.0, p=0.45).<br /><br />Overall, the study suggests that anemia is associated with increased mental fatigability in hospitalized patients. The authors conclude that clinicians should consider mental fatigability when managing anemia, since it may influence both patient activity and cognitive recovery. They are also investigating whether low Hb continues to affect mental fatigability after discharge.

Asset Subtitle

Stephanie Cardenas

Meta Tag

Author List Christian Carrier, David O. Meltzer, Micah T. Prochaska, Stephanie Cardenas

Category Research

Concept Mental Fatigability

Concept Anemia

Concept Hemoglobin

Concept Hospitalized Patients

Concept Nadir Hemoglobin

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization University of Chicago, Pritzker School of Medicine

Presenting Author Stephanie Cardenas

Track Outcomes Research

Keywords

anemia

mental fatigability

hospitalized adults

hemoglobin

Pittsburgh Fatigability Scale

general medicine inpatients

cognitive function

linear regression

recovery

low hemoglobin

Mental Fatigability

Anemia

Hemoglobin

Hospitalized Patients

Nadir Hemoglobin