Quality of Life in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Relation with Disease Activity, severity and Fatigue

Abstract

Background: multisystem manifestations of Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) individuals greatly affect patients, physical and psychological functioning and impair capability to take part in work and social activities. This study aimed to explore SLE disease activity, severity and fatigue impacts on quality of life (Qol).Subjects and methods: We conducted this cross-section study on 84 SLE patients who were defined as having SLE by criteria established by American College of Rheumatology (ACR) in its most recent revision. Assessment of fatigue factors was done via multidimensional assessment of fatigue (MAF) questionnaire. QoL of SLE cases was evaluated by Arabic version of SLE QoL questionnaire.Results: The mean SLEDAS was 16.64±13.59 with (85.7%) of cases had HLDAS and the others (14.3%) had LLDAS. The mean SLEQoL score was 105.69±32.37 and the mean MAF score was 57.24±28.17. Statistically significant differences were found between lupus patients with HLDAS and those with LLDAS as regards fatigue and QoL. Patients with HLDAS group showed higher mean scores of MAF and SLEQoL while no statistically significant differences were found between patients with HLDAS and those with LLDAS as regards age, duration of disease, LSI.Conclusion: inter-relationships between assessment indices of activity, severity, fatigue and QoL were studied and revealed strong positive correlations between MAF and both SLEQoL SLEDAS. There was a moderate positive correlation between SLEDAS and SLEQoL. There were weak positive correlations between LSI and each of indices (SLEQoL, SLEDAS and MAF). Multivariate logistic regression revealed that MAF was only significant associated factor with SLE disease activity