Health-Related Quality of Life among Patients of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Risk Factors for Poor Hrqol at Health Facilities in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
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Date
2025-04-10
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Background: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease that significantly affects the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of patients. Understanding the factors influencing HRQoL in SLE patients is crucial for improving patient care and outcomes.
Objective: To assess HRQoL and identify the factors associated with HRQoL in patients with SLE attending selected rheumatology clinics in Addis Ababa.
Methods: A multicenter, cross-sectional study was conducted in three rheumatology clinics in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from January 2024 to January 2025. The estimated sample size was 141. HRQoL was assessed using the SF-36 tool, and the overall HRQoL score, the Physical Component Summary (PCS), and the Mental Component Summary (MCS) scores were determined. Data were collected through chart reviews, electronic medical records, and phone interviews with patients. Data entry and analysis were performed using SPSS version 27.1. Multivariable linear regression was used to identify factors significantly associated with HRQoL, allowing for the evaluation of demographic, clinical, and socio-occupational influences on HRQoL among patients with SLE.
Results: The study included 121 SLE patients with a mean age of 35.4 ± 12.3 years, of whom 99.2% were female. The overall mean HRQoL score was 48.41 ± 5.7, with the mean scores for the Physical Component Summary and Mental Component Summary being 46.28 ± 8.4 and 50.54 ± 8.03, respectively. In multivariable linear regression analysis, age (B = -0.144, 95% CI: 0.277 to -0.010, P = 0.035), disease duration (B = -1.215, 95% CI: -2.161 to -0.268, P = 0.02), disease activity (B = -5.41, 95% CI: -9.578 to -1.287, P = 0.01), and occupation (housewives: B = -3.057, 95% CI: -5.670 to -0.444, P = 0.022) were significantly associated with poor HRQoL.
Conclusion and Recommendations: The HRQoL among SLE patients was found to be low. Disease activity and sociodemographic factors significantly influenced HRQoL. The findings underscore the importance of regularly monitoring disease activity and HRQoL, and suggest that interventions targeted at high-risk groups could improve the quality of life for these patients.
Keywords: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Health-Related Quality of Life, Disease Activity.
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Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Health-Related Quality of Life Disease Activity