Quality of life in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: the mediator role of psychological morbidity and disease activity

Abstract

Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) experience chronic symptoms that negatively impact their quality of life (QoL). This study analyzed the variables that contributed to QoL in patients with SLE, including the mediating role of psychological morbidity and disease activity. This study used a transversal design and included 104 women with SLE. Participants answered several instruments assessing fatigue, psychological morbidity (depression and anxiety), body image, disease activity, and quality of life. The results showed that disease activity, fatigue severity, psychological morbidity and body image were associated with all domains of QoL. Additionally, psychological morbidity and disease activity mediated the relationship between body image and psychological morbidity. Also, disease activity mediated the relationship between body image and fatigue severity. According to the results, intervention in patients with SLE should focus on patients' psychological morbidity, particularly in the active phase of the disease. Body image, fatigue severity and psychological morbidity should be monitored in patients with SLE in order to promote QoL.