Comorbidities in Privately Insured South Africans With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Introduction Comorbidities in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) impact negatively on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and life expectancy. We investigated the frequency and spectrum of comorbidities in privately insured South Africans with SLE. Methods The data of SLE patients based on International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) codes and insured with Discovery Health Medical Scheme (DHMS), South Africa, aged ≥16 years at diagnosis and with ≥6 months of follow-up were reviewed. Demographics, comorbidities listed in the Charlson comorbidity index (CCI), other common comorbidities, intercurrent illnesses, and drug therapy were documented. Results Of the 520 patients coded as SLE, 207 met the inclusion criteria. Most were females (90.8%), with a median (interquartile range {IQR}) age and follow-up duration of 39 (30.3-53.0) and 6.1 (3.7-8.1) years, respectively. All patients had at least one comorbidity; the most frequent CCI comorbidities were pulmonary disease (30.9%), congestive heart failure (CHF, 15%), and renal disease (14.0%). Other common comorbidities were hypertension (53.1%) and mood and anxiety disorders (46.9%). Urinary tract infections (UTIs, 37.7%) and pneumonia (33.8%) were common intercurrent illnesses. The independent predictors of CHF were renal disease (odds ratio {OR}=855), dyslipidemia (OR=15.3), and male gender (OR=43.0); the independent predictors of hypertension were age at diagnosis (OR=1.03), type 2 diabetes (OR=4.45), and renal disease (OR=4.34); and the independent predictors of mood and anxiety disorders were female gender (OR=3.98), stroke (OR=3.18), UTI (OR=2.39), and chloroquine use (OR=1.94). Conclusion In this study of privately insured South Africans with SLE, comorbidities were common, and all patients had at least one comorbidity. Hypertension, infections, and mood and anxiety disorders were the leading comorbidities overall, and pulmonary disease was the most common CCI comorbidity. There is an obvious need to formally study the burden of mental health disorders in South African SLE patients.

An ecological approach to understanding and addressing health inequities of systemic lupus erythematosus

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a complex chronic autoimmune disease disproportionally afflicting women and, in particular, American Indian/Alaska Native, Black, and Hispanic women. These groups of women have significantly worse SLE-related health outcomes which are partially attributable to their exposure to marginalizing and interconnecting social issues like racism, sexism, economic inequality, and more. Although these groups of women have higher rates of SLE and though it is well known that they are at risk of exposure to marginalizing social phenomena, relatively little SLE literature explicitly links and addresses the relationship between marginalizing social issues and poor SLE-health outcomes among these women. Therefore, we developed a community-engaged partnership with two childhood-SLE diagnosed women of color to identify their perspectives on which systemic issues impacted on their SLE health-related outcomes. Afterward, we used Cochrane guidelines to conduct a rapid review associated with these identified issues and original SLE research. Then, we adapted an ecological model to illustrate the connection between systems issues and SLE health outcomes. Finally, we provided recommendations for ways to research and clinically mitigate SLE health inequities.

Global excellence in rheumatology in Latin America: The case of systemic lupus erythematosus

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) affects more severely non-White populations, due to their genetic background and sociodemographic characteristics. Several studies have evaluated Latin American SLE patients to determine their genetic and clinical characteristics as well as prognostic factors; these studies have not only allowed the development of treatment guidelines aimed at the region but also to support regional and global projects. Additionally, educational activities in Spanish and Portuguese have been started to reduce our patients' health illiteracy. Despite the relatively low research output from Latin American countries, we consider that studies from our region coupled with the networks developed to increase our capabilities, could be a model for other rare autoimmune diseases.

Psychological Implications to the Therapy of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic and multi-systemic autoimmune disease, which has a deleterious impact on patients' psychological well-being. This paper aims to review the existing literature on empirical research on psychological outcomes of SLE and psychological interventions to improve well-being in SLE patients. A search of significant English language articles was conducted in PubMed, Medline, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and ResearchGate databases. Titles and abstracts were screened for the relevant terms, including "systemic lupus erythematosus", "childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus", "juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus", "lupus nephritis", and their respective synonyms along with "depression", "anxiety", "fatigue", "medical adherence", "health-related quality of life", "self-management" or "intervention". The articles were evaluated by independent reviewers and the lists of eligible publications were compared whilst disagreements were settled by discussion. Of the 59 publications sought for retrieval, 35 papers were shortlisted based on predefined inclusion/exclusion criteria. They were classified according to their content and the methodology applied. Research topics including "anxiety and depression in SLE" and "self-management interventions for SLE patients" were identified and are presented in this review. As the prognosis and life expectancy of SLE patients are improving, further research on the psychological outcomes of SLE and the evidence-based psychological interventions to improve patients' well-being are justified.

Addressing health disparities as a function of ethnicity in systemic lupus erythematosus patients

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disorder with significant health disparities, as it disproportionately and more severely affects vulnerable and disadvantaged population groups in the United States and around the world, that is, women, ethnic minorities, individuals living in poverty, less educated, and lacking medical insurance. Both, genetic and non-genetic factors, contribute to these disparities. To overcome these health disparities and reduce poor outcomes among disadvantaged SLE populations, interventions on non-genetic amendable factors, especially on social health determinants, are necessary.

The impact of distress disclosure and anxiety on the association between social support and quality of life among Chinese women with systemic lupus erythematosus

The evidence on the relationship between social support and quality of life in female systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients is complex. The purpose of this study was to explore the impacts of distress disclosure and anxiety on the association between social support and quality of life among Chinese women with SLE. A cross-sectional study was conducted, and 237 samples were obtained. Measures included demographic characteristics, Lupus Quality of Life (LupusQoL), social support rate scale (SSRS), distress disclosure index (DDI), and self-rating anxiety scale (SAS). Descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and moderated mediating effect analysis were carried out. The LupusQoL was negatively correlated with age, systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index (SLEDAI), DDI, and SAS. SSRS had a positive predictive effect on the LupusQoL, while SLEDAI and DDI had the opposite effect. SAS had a negative predictive effect on the LupusQoL. There were interactive effects of SAS and DDI on LupusQoL. In the moderated mediation model, SAS played moderating effect in the role of DDI on LupusQoL; the DDI of female patients with SLE played a partial mediator role, the mediation effect was 0.19, and the mediation effect ratio was 33.3%. In conclusion, to pay attention to the QOL, we should consider the mediator role of distress disclosure and the moderating role of anxiety.

Differential impact of disease activity and damage on health-related quality of life in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

BACKGROUND

To study the association between disease activity, disease-related organ damage and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among Asian patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

METHODS

We prospectively recruited adult SLE patients from a single tertiary center and followed them three-monthly. We recorded the SLE Disease Activity Index 2000 (SLEDAI-2K) at each visit. SLICC-ACR damage index (SDI) and HRQoL (Medical Outcomes Survey Short Form 36 (SF-36)) were recorded annually. We evaluated the association between SLEDAI-2K and SDI with SF-36 physical (PCS) and mental (MCS) component scores using linear mixed effect models.

RESULTS

We studied 198 patients, comprising Chinese, Malays and Indians. The mean (SD) age at enrollment was 47.1 (12.5) years. The baseline median (IQR) SLEDAI-2k was 2 (0-4). While the mean PCS improved significantly in the second and third year, MCS was unchanged. In the multivariable mixed model analysis, SDI, but not SLEDAI-2k, was significantly associated with poorer PCS (estimate of coefficient (SE) -0.81 (0.29), p < .01). Conversely, SLEDAI-2k, but not SDI, was negatively associated with MCS (estimate of coefficient (SE) -0.36 (0.17), p = .04).

CONCLUSION

In this cohort of multi-ethnic Asian SLE patients, disease activity is associated with poorer mental, but not physical, HRQoL; whereas disease-related damage is associated with poorer physical, but not mental HRQoL. Our findings suggest a need to differentially approach the impaired HRQoL in SLE patients at different phases of disease; possibly by treating disease activity in patients with impaired mental HRQoL and addressing disease-related damage in patients with impaired physical functioning.

Severe flares are associated with a poorer health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with SLE: data from the Almenara Lupus Cohort

BACKGROUND

Flares in patients with SLE, regardless of their severity, have been associated with damage accrual. However, their impact on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) has not been fully evaluated. In fact, disease activity is only minimally associated with HRQoL.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the association between flares and HRQoL.

METHODS

Patients from the Almenara Lupus Cohort were included. Visits occurring between December 2015 and February 2020 were evaluated. Flares were defined as an increase on the SLE Disease Activity Index 2000 (SLEDAI-2K) of at least 4 points; severe flares were those with a final SLEDAI-2K ≥12 and mild-moderate flares all the others. HRQoL was measured using the LupusQoL. Univariable and multivariable generalised estimating regression equations were performed, adjusting for possible confounders. Confounders were determined at one visit, whereas the outcome was determined on the subsequent visit; flares were determined based on the variation of the SLEDAI-2K between these visits.

RESULTS

Two hundred and seventy-seven patients were included; 256 (92.4%) were female, mean age at diagnosis was 36.0 (SD: 13.3) years and mean disease duration at baseline was 9.1 (SD: 7.1) years. Patients had mean of 4.8 (SD: 1.9) visits and a mean follow-up of 2.7 (1.1) years. Out of 1098 visits, 115 (10.5%) flares were defined, 17 were severe and 98 mild-moderate. After adjustment for possible confounders, only severe flares were associated with a poorer HRQoL in planning, pain, emotional health and fatigue.

CONCLUSIONS

Severe flares, but not mild-moderate, flares are associated with poorer HRQoL.

Quality of life measures in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A systematic review

In this study we systematically investigated the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) tools, which have been most often used over the last five years to evaluate the QoL in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), focusing on their items and applications. A detailed literature search was conducted: the inclusion criteria were as follows: 1) studies including at least 50 patients; 2) studies including at least 25 patients with SLE; 3) quality of life testing with validated measures. The systematic review was based on 119 studies for a total of 32,449 SLE patients and 3092 controls. A total of 35 different patients-reported quality of life measures, applied in cohorts of patients with SLE, were retrieved with the 36-item Medical Outcome Short Form (SF-36) (63 studies of 119 =52.95%), Lupus Quality of Life (LupusQoL) (17 studies =14.3%) and Lupus Patient-Reported Outcome (LupusPRO) (12 studies =10%) being the most commonly used tools. Overall, this systematic review of the literature indicated that quality of life in patients with SLE appears to be poor and generally lower compared to both the general population and patients with other chronic conditions, as was shown by a few studies that used SF-36 and LupusPRO. The use of HRQoL scoring in SLE is gaining increasing interest and is used both in randomized controlled trials and in real-life. Future efforts are needed to improve the understanding of the impact of the disease burden on quality of life from the patient’s perspective.

Impact of demographic, clinical, and treatment compliance characteristics on quality of life of Venezuelan patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

BACKGROUND

We have here assessed the impact of demographic, clinical, and treatment compliance characteristics on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of Venezuelan patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We have used a disease-specific questionnaire, the Lupus Quality of Life (LupusQoL), validated in our patient population, to measure HRQoL.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 100 patients with SLE from outpatient clinics. Patients completed a form with demographic, clinical, and treatment compliance data, and the LupusQoL questionnaire. HRQoL was classified as better or worse according to previously established cut-off points for this patient population. Spearman's r test was used to determine the correlations between age, years of education, disease duration, SLEDAI, and SLICC-DI with the eight domains of the LupusQoL. Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the HRQoL between the two groups of patients according to treatment compliance. Binomial logistic regression using the backward stepwise selection method was performed to identify the risk factors associated with each of the eight domains of the LupusQoL among patients with inactive (SLEDAI < 4) and active (SLEDAI ≥ 4) SLE.

RESULTS

HRQoL of our patients was classified as better in all domains of the LupusQoL. Age correlated negatively with all domains of the LupusQoL, except with "burden to others", and disease activity correlated negatively with all domains of the LupusQoL, except with "intimate relationships" and "burden to others" (p < 0.05). Patients who fully complied with indicated treatment had higher scores in "physical health" domain compared to patients who did not comply with at least one of the prescribed medications (p < 0.05). In patients with active SLE, a risk factor associated with worse "planning" and "intimate relationships" was advanced age, while having had SLE flare-ups in the previous six months was a risk factor associated with worse "physical health" (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Age and disease activity were negatively correlated with almost all domains of the LupusQoL, and treatment compliance was associated with higher score in the "physical health" domain. Disease control and treatment compliance should be the main goals for a better HRQoL in our patients with SLE.

Damage index for antiphospholipid syndrome during long term follow-up: Correlation between organ damage accrual and quality of life

BACKGROUND

Consequences of organ damage in primary antiphospholipid syndrome (PAPS) are diverse, our aim was to determine organ damage over time and the correlation of organ damage accrual with health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in PAPS.

METHODS

First phase: retrospective cohort applying Damage Index for Antiphospholipid Syndrome (DIAPS) at 1, 5, 10, 20 years, or longer since diagnosis. Second phase: cross-sectional study, assessing HRQoL by the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36 (SF-36), and organ damage accrual. Descriptive statistics and Spearman correlation coefficient were used.

RESULTS

Sixty-seven patients were included, mean follow-up:15 years. Deep vein thrombosis prevailed (71.6%), pulmonary embolism (35.8%) and stroke (32.8%). Organ damage was found in 98.5%, with a cumulative DIAPS value of 3, with greater involvement in the neuropsychiatric and peripheral vascular domains. Regarding HRQoL, deterioration in the physical component summary (PCS) was found in 89.6%. Organ damage accrual correlated inversely and significantly with all the SF-36 domains, mainly with the total score and PCS. Body pain and PCS correlated the most (rho = -0.503, rho = -0.475).

CONCLUSIONS

Organ damage accrual impaired HRQoL in PAPS. Secondary thromboprophylxis through adequate systemic management and control of cardiovascular risk factors are necessary to prevent further impairment.

Associations of FKBP4 and FKBP5 gene polymorphisms with disease susceptibility, glucocorticoid efficacy, anxiety, depression, and health-related quality of life in systemic lupus erythematosus patients

OBJECTIVES

To explore the associations of FKBP4 and FKBP5 gene polymorphisms with disease susceptibility, glucocorticoid (GC) efficacy, anxiety, depression, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients.

METHODS

All subjects were collected from the First and the Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University in Hefei, China, during 2011 to 2015. In the case-control study, 541 SLE patients and 543 controls were recruited. In the follow-up study, 466 patients completed the 12-week follow-up and then were divided into GC-sensitive and GC-insensitive groups. Genotyping was determined using Multiplex SNaPshot technique. Data were analyzed using chi-square test and univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses.

RESULTS

rs4713904, rs9368878, and rs7757037 of FKBP5 were associated with depression in SLE patients (rs4713904, P_BH = 0.037; rs9368878, P_BH = 0.001; rs7757037, P_BH = 0.003). Moreover, rs4713904 was associated with GC efficacy in males with SLE (P_BH = 0.011). The rs755658 of FKBP5 was associated with improvement in social function (P_BH = 0.022) and mental component summary (P_BH = 0.028). The rs4713907 of FKBP5 was related to improvement in total score of SF-36, bodily pain, and mental component summary score (all P_BH = 0.018). Furthermore, the rs12582595 of FKBP4 was correlated with general health improvement (P_BH = 0.033). No associations were seen between FKBP4/FKBP5 gene polymorphisms and SLE susceptibility and anxiety.

CONCLUSIONS

FKBP5 gene polymorphisms may be associated with depression and GC efficacy of SLE patients. Meanwhile, the genetic polymorphisms of FKBP4 and FKBP5 genes may be associated with HRQOL improvement in SLE patients. Key Points • FKBP5 gene polymorphisms were associated with depression of SLE patients. • FKBP5 gene polymorphisms were associated with GC efficacy of SLE patients. • FKBP5 gene polymorphisms were associated with HRQOL improvement in SLE patients. • FKBP4 gene polymorphisms were associated with HRQOL improvement in SLE patients.

Use of Antimalarial Agents is Associated with Favourable Physical Functioning in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Impaired health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is a major problem in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Antimalarial agents (AMA) are the cornerstone of SLE therapy, but data on their impact on HRQoL are scarce. We investigated this impact using baseline data from the BLISS-52 (NCT00424476) and BLISS-76 (NCT00410384) trials (n = 1684). HRQoL was self-reported using the Medical Outcomes Study short-form 36 (SF-36), functional assessment of chronic illness therapy (FACIT)-Fatigue and 3-level EuroQoL 5-Dimension (EQ-5D) questionnaires. Patients on AMA (n = 1098/1684) performed better with regard to SF-36 physical component summary, physical functioning, role physical, bodily pain, FACIT-Fatigue, EQ-5D utility index and EQ-5D visual analogue scale scores. The difference in SF-36 physical functioning (mean ± standard deviation (SD): 61.1 ± 24.9 versus 55.0 ± 26.5; p < 0.001) exceeded the minimal clinically important difference (≥5.0). This association remained significant after adjustment for potential confounding factors in linear regression models (standardised coefficient, β = 0.07; p = 0.002). Greater proportions of AMA users than non-users reported no problems in the mobility, self-care, usual activities and anxiety/depression EQ-5D dimensions. AMA use was particularly associated with favourable HRQoL in physical aspects among patients with active mucocutaneous and musculoskeletal disease, and mental aspects among patients with active renal SLE. These results provide support in motivating adherence to AMA therapy. Exploration of causality in the relationship between AMA use and favourable HRQoL in SLE has merit.

An Integrative Review of the LupusQoL Measure

Background and Purpose

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus negatively affects health related quality of life (HRQOL). The purpose of this review is to synthesize and evaluate findings related to the psychometric properties of the LupusQoL and its variations.

Methods

A search of CINAHL, PubMed, and Medline for the timeframe of 2007–2019 for English-language articles using any form of the LupusQoL was completed. Thirty-five studies were reviewed to determine psychometric soundness.

Results

Cronbach alpha results supported the internal consistency with test–retest data supporting stability. Factor structure and Scree plots varied. Content, construct, criterion, convergent, and discriminate validity were supported. Ceiling and floor effects occurred.

Conclusions

The LupusQoL and its variations offer a disease-specific measure with supported reliability and validity for use in culturally disparate populations. Factor structure and ceiling/floor effects need further edification.

The Impact of Cytokines on the Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Introduction: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) reduces the health-related quality of life (HRQoL), even during periods of disease quiescence. We investigated whether subclinical inflammation as reflected by cytokine levels is linked with reduced HRQoL. Methods: A cross-sectional study of SLE patients (n = 52, mean age 47.3, 86.5% female) who completed a Short Form Health Survey-36 (SF-36) questionnaire. The clinical and demographic data, scores for the disease activity (SLEDAI-2K), organ damage (SDI), and laboratory data were collected simultaneously. The autoantibody and cytokine levels (IFN-γ, IL-1β, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, IL-17, BAFF, TNF-α, TGF-β1, MIP-1α, MIP-1β and MCP-1 (levels in pg/mL) were quantified by sandwich ELISA. The comparisons and associations were assessed non-parametrically, and a multiple regression determined the effect sizes (ES) of the variables on the SF-36 domain and summary scores. Results: The SF-36 summary and domain scores for SLE patients were significantly (20–40%) lower than in a comparable control group, with the exception of the Mental Health scores (p = 0.06). SLE patients had a normal body mass index (BMI) (median, 24.2 kg/m²), a high rate of smoking (69.2%), and usage of social security benefits (90.4%). TGF-β1 (ES 0.06), IL-12 (ES −0.11), IFN-γ (ES 0.07) and MCP-1 (ES 0.06) influenced the SF-36 domain scores; and MCP-1 (ES 0.04) influenced the Mental Health Summary Score (MCS). Obvious manifestations, including patient visual analogue scale (VAS) (ES −2.84 to −6.29), alopecia (ES −14.89), malar rash (ES −14.26), and analgesic requirement (ES −19.38), independently influenced the SF-36 items; however, the SF-36 scores were not reflected by the physician VAS or disease activity (SLEDAI-2K). Conclusions: Cytokines had a minimal impact on HRQoL in SLE patients, especially compared to visible skin manifestations, central nervous system (CNS) damage, and pain. Better tools are needed to capture HRQoL in measures of disease activity.

Quality of life among female patients with systemic lupus erythematosus in remission

The objective is to assess quality-of-life (QoL) parameters among Indian female systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients with durable remission. Indian female SLE patients in remission determined by the European consensus criteria and age-matched female control participants were included in the study. All included participants underwent measurements of QoL [Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form-12 (SF12)], Fatigue Severity Scale, and structured interview with a clinical psychologist. The population comprised of 126 female SLE patients [median age: 27.5 years [interquartile range (IQR): 11]; median disease duration: 36 months (IQR 26)] and 110 female controls [median age 30 years (IQR 9)]. Clinical remission was seen in 65.9% (83/126) and complete remission in 34.1% (43/126). Significant fatigue was present in 18.3% (23/126). Both SF-12 physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS) were similar between SLE patients and controls [median PCS: 50.3 (IQR: 16.2) vs. 48.6 (IQR: 11.6); median MCS: 57.2 (IQR: 4.8) vs. 57.9 (IQR: 7.6)]. In generalised linear modelling, PCS was associated with fatigue [odd's ratio (OR) 0.012, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.006-0.025, p < 0.001], disease duration ≥ 5 years (OR 23.16, 95% CI 1.548-346.58, p = 0.023), and complete remission (OR 33.16, 95% CI 4.43-248.15, p = 0.001); MCS with fatigue (OR 0.53, 95% CI 0.34-0.84, p = 0.007) and absence of depression (OR 3.65, 95% CI 1.07-12.44, p = 0.038). Patients with SLE in remission report significant fatigue in 18.3% of subjects. Both PCS and MCS scores are similar to healthy controls. Better PCS was associated with less fatigue, longer disease duration, and complete remission. Better MCS was associated with less fatigue and absence of depression.