Prevalence and correlates of fatigue among persons with HIV infection.

To describe prevalence of fatigue and its correlates among persons with HIV infection, we abstracted medical records of 13,768 persons in care for HIV in >100 US clinics. The prevalence of fatigue (defined as fatigue, malaise, or weakness that was the primary reason for a medical visit, was persistent, or was severe enough to preclude work) was 37%. Fatigue was more common among persons with clinical AIDS (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 1.3, CI 1.1-1.5); depression (AOR 2.4, CI 2.1-2.7); and hemoglobin concentrations <8, 8-10, and 10-12 g/dL (AORs 3.3 [CI 2.4-4.6], 2.7 [CI 2.2-3.2], and 1.5 [CI 1.3-1.7], respectively). Fatigue was not associated with viral load or CD4 cell count <200/microl. Fatigue cannot be viewed solely as a constitutional symptom of progressive HIV disease. Physicians should seek underlying, treatable causes for fatigue such as depression and anemia and treat these conditions when they are found.