Self-reported disease severity in women with systemic lupus erythematosus

AbstractSystemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), pathology with net feminine predominance, is one of the most complex autoimmune diseases and has major impact on patients ’ life. The aim is to identify patient and disease-related factors associated with self-perceived disease severity in female SLE patients. This cross-sectional study enrolled 73 women fulfilling the 2012 Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinic (SLICC) criteria. SLE disease activity was a ssessed by the Systemic Lupus Activity Measure (SLAM) score and overall damage by the SLICC/American College of Rheumatology (ACR) index. Patients’ general characteristics, associated conditions as well as SLE specific clinical involvements and therapeutic principles were also noted. Fatigue was a ssessed by FACIT-fatigue scale. Self-perceived disease severity was assessed using numerical rating scales (1–10 NRSs), to evaluate the disease severity at inclusion (1–10 NRS now) and worst severity anytime during disease history (1–10 NRS worst ever). In regard to worst ever lupus severity, 54.8% of patients responded with 9 or 10, while none with 1 or 2 even if only 22.9% of the patients responded with 7 or more for disease severity at inclusion (1–10 NRS now). Women with higher 1–10 NRS now answers had also higher 1–10 NRS worst ever, SLAM, SLICC, and FACIT-fatigue scores. They associated more frequently anxiety/depression diagnosis, antiphospholipid syndrome, joint involvement as well as treatments with co...
Source: Rheumatology International - Category: Rheumatology Source Type: research