BACKGROUND AND AIM: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is frequently associated with fatigue, which negatively affects quality of life. The Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy–Fatigue (FACIT-F) scale is widely used to assess fatigue; however, its psychometric properties have not yet been established in Turkish patients with COPD. This study aimed to evaluate the reliability and preliminary construct validity of the Turkish version of the FACIT-F scale in individuals with COPD.

METHODS: A total of 135 individuals with a confirmed diagnosis of COPD (mean age 66.55±9.11 years) participated in the study. Internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha, and test–retest reliability was evaluated using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was conducted to examine the factorial structure of the scale. Construct validity was assessed through correlation analyses with related clinical and functional measures. Known-group comparisons were performed according to disease severity.

RESULTS: Cronbach’s alpha for the Turkish FACIT-F scale was α=0.945, and the ICC was 0.954. The scale showed strong correlations with the Piper Fatigue Scale (r=-0.725 to -0.820) and the COPD and Asthma Fatigue Scale (r=-0.760). Moderate correlations were observed with the modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) dyspnea scale (r=-0.489), the COPD Assessment Test (CAT) (r=-0.588), the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) (r=-0.501), and St. George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) scores (r=-0.437 to -0.652). Factor analysis confirmed a one-factor structure, with factor loadings ranging from 0.605 to 0.879.

CONCLUSIONS: The Turkish version of the FACIT-F scale is a reliable and psychometrically sound instrument for assessing fatigue in patients with COPD. Its use in clinical and rehabilitation settings may facilitate systematic evaluation of fatigue severity and support individualized patient management.