Gl. Iverson et al., USING SINGLE-SUBJECT METHODOLOGY TO INVESTIGATE PSYCHIATRIC TREATMENTS IN SYSTEMIC LUPUS-ERYTHEMATOSUS, Lupus, 7(5), 1998, pp. 295-300
Psychiatric problems are frequently experienced by persons with system
ic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Some researchers and clinicians presume
that these psychiatric problems are a direct manifestation of the dise
ase, while others suggest that psychosocial and environmental factors
have greater etiological significance. Our lack of knowledge regarding
the etiology of psychiatric problems in this population is a serious
limitation to selecting treatment approaches or to understanding treat
ment efficacy. Studies that employ group research designs to investiga
te the etiology or treatment of psychiatric problems in patients with
SLE are inherently limited. Therefore, this article provides a general
introduction to single-subject methodology and illustrates some poten
tial applications to investigating psychiatric treatments in persons w
ith SLE.