Els van de Vijver

111 treatment against fatigue in another autoimmune inflammatory condition (systemic lupus erythematosus), and may also be of use in improving psychological distress-associated fatigue in IBD.(40) Further research is needed to identify practical treatment targets. CONCLUSION This study shows that fatigue is a rather common feature in children and adolescents with IBD, irrespective of the presence of mucosal inflammation and anaemia. Our findings confirm that fatigue negatively impacts on the quality-of-life. We found no association between self-reported fatigue and exercise capacity. In order to get a full picture of the possible causes of fatigue, we suggest that future studies measure functional as well as behavioral factors. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS : We would like to thank all patients and care professionals who contributed to this study, in particular J. Stapelbroek ( Catharina Hospital, Eindhoven), H. Escher (Sophia Children’s Hospital - Erasmus MC, Rotterdam), A. Oudshoorn (Gelre Hospital, Apeldoorn), S Teklenburg (Isala Hospital, Zwolle), C. Van de Feen (Jeroen Bosch Hospital, Den Bosch), A. Vreugdenhil, (Maastricht UMC), W.Tjon-a-ten (Maxima Medical Center, Veldhoven) and P. Rossias ( Zuyderland Hospital, Sittard). Self-reported fatigue and biological and functional parameters 111