Fatigue in the general population: results of the “German Health Update 2023” study

Background: Fatigue is an unspecific symptom complex characterized by tiredness, lack of energy, and lack of concentration and is of considerable public health relevance, due to its links with incapacity for work, risk of accidents, and increased need for healthcare. Methods: The analyses are based on data from 9766 adults of the telephone survey “Gesundheit in Deutschland aktuell (GEDA)” 2023. Fatigue was recorded using the Fatigue Assessment Scale (FAS), a validated instrument with 10 questions for self-assessment of fatigue. The scale was dichotomized into yes (at least mild to moderate fatigue) versus no (no fatigue). Population-weighted prevalences of fatigue and associated sociodemographic and health-related factors were calculated in descriptive analyses and multivariable Poisson regression. Results: The overall prevalence of fatigue in adults in Germany is 29.7% (95% CI 28.1–31.2), is highest in 18- to 29-year-olds (39.6% (95% CI 35.0–44.4)), and decreases in the age groups up to 65–79 years (20.6% (95% CI 18.2–23.3)). It is higher again in the very old age group (33.2% (95% CI 28.9–37.7)). Women have a higher risk of fatigue than men (aRR 1.19 (95% CI 1.08–1.32)). Fatigue is significantly associated with age, lower education, chronic illness, depression, and long COVID, regardless of covariates. Discussion: GEDA 2023 is one of the few population-based studies to have collected data on fatigue. The results allow estimates to be made for Germany on the frequency of fatigue and the significance of physical, psychological, and social influencing factors. They can be used as a reference or as a basis for trends over time as part of continuous health monitoring in Germany.