Abstract
The longitudinal relationship between fatigue and physical deterioration is least explored. The aim of the study was to investigate the physical performance transitions and the relationship with adverse outcomes over 3-years in older people with or without fatigue. This 3-year longitudinal study included 456 community-dwelling older adults (mean age: 73.5 ± 7.5 years; female 43.0%). Physical performance was assessed using the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB). Fatigue was assessed by a single-item question “Have you felt tired or fatigued on at least 3 or 4 days each week?” At follow-up, both groups showed a trend towards lower physical performance levels, with the fatigue group exhibiting a significantly more pronounced decline. After adjusting for covariates, new-onset sarcopenia(OR = 3.08, 95%CI = 2.18–5.45) and malnutrition(OR = 2.70, 95%CI = 1.38–5.57) were the significant adverse events associated with physical performance deterioration in individuals with fatigue at 3-year follow-up. While for non-fatigue older adults, cognitive impairment (OR = 1.81,95%CI = 1.52–3.84) and sarcopenia(OR = 1.83, 95%CI = 1.50–5.33) were the significant adverse events associated with physical performance deterioration. The characteristics of older individuals with and without fatigue are distinct while considering longitudinal physical performance transitions. Fatigue is a significant risk factor associated with geriatric syndromes such as sarcopenia and malnutrition in individuals who have poor physical performance.
Clinical trial number: ChiCTR2100051397.
Data availability
The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.
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We thank all participants of the study.
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Conceptualization: Piu Chan and Jagadish K Chhetri; Data curation: Zhang Xiao Juan and Su Dan; Funding acquisition: PC. Methodology and data analysis: Su Yanling, SD, ZXJ; Manuscript Drafting: SD; Review & editing: PC, JKC.
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Su, D., Su, Y., Zhang, X. et al. Physical performance transition and the risk of adverse health outcomes among community-dwelling older adults with or without fatigue. Sci Rep (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-37997-8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-37997-8
