Background. Quality of life for caregivers of end‐stage renal disease patients has not been well addressed yet the physical and psychological status of this overlooked group can be important in the recovery or adaptation of patients with chronic renal failure, not to mention the caregivers themselves. One particular feature of the overall quality of life of such caregivers is that of fatigue.
Aims and objectives. The purpose of the study was to test the Fatigue Severity Scale for potential usefulness in assessing fatigue among a non‐medical population, caregivers of end‐stage renal disease patients.
Methods. Subjects completed a short battery of measures at either a dialysis centre or at home.
Results. The Short Form‐12 of the Short Form‐36 and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale accounted for 56% of the variance on the Fatigue Severity Scale. The results suggest that physical fatigue may be more prominent than mental fatigue as a feature of caregiver quality of life.