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Fatigue in the general population: A translation and test of the psychometric properties of the Norwegian version of the fatigue severity scale

Department of Behavioral Science in Medicine, University of Oslo, Institute of Health, Buskerud University College

Astrid K. Wahl

Institute of Health, Buskerud University College, Faculty of Nursing, Oslo University College

Tone Rustoen

Faculty of Nursing, Oslo University College

Berit R. Hanestad

Department of Public Health and Primary Health Care, University of Bergen, Norway

Torbjorn Moum

Department of Behavioral Science in Medicine, University of Oslo

Objective: A study was undertaken to test the psychometric properties of the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), and to explore the relationship between fatigue and sociodemographic variables in the general population. Method: A national representative sample of 1893 respondents was randomly selected from a pool of 4,000 Norwegians aged 19—81 years. A mailed questionnaire that included the FSS was used to measure fatigue severity. Results: The FSS showed satisfactory internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha 0.88). The prevalence of high fatigue (FSS score>=5) was 23.1% in the total sample. More women (26.2%) than men (19.8%) experienced high fatigue (p=0.004). Respondents with chronic illness (more than six months) reported a higher mean (M=4.69, SD=1.35) than the rest of the sample (M=3.67, SD=1.17) (p<0.001). An inverse correlation was found between fatigue and level of formal education (r=0.20, p<0.001). Conclusion: The psychometric properties of the Norwegian version of FSS were satisfactory. To avoid over-diagnosing people for high level of fatigue, the threshold for high fatigue probably should be 5 on the FSS scale instead of 4 as had been suggested originally, but further validation of the cut-off point is needed.

Key Words: cross-sectional studies • fatigue severity scale (FSS) • general population • epidemiology • psychometrics • questionnaires

Scandinavian Journal of Public Health, Vol. 33, No. 2, 123-130 (2005)
DOI: 10.1080/14034940410028406


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