Quality of life of women with systemic lupus erythematosus or rheumatoid arthritis: Domains of importance and dissatisfaction

The aim of this study was to increase understanding of the domains of life that are important to Swedish women with chronic rheumatic disease and to d escribe their dissatisfaction with these domains. Fifty women with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) and 50 with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) were inter viewed by telephone regarding their quality of life using five open-ended q uestions. Content analysis of their responses revealed nine categories: Hea lth/wellness, Family/friends, Work, House/home/living environment, Social s upport/functional services, Hobbies/cultural activities, Sufficient income, Independence, Integrity/identity. Areas of importance correspond closely t o those areas with which they were most dissatisfied. Although the domains identified in both groups were the same, SLE patients expressed more dissat isfaction with their perceived control over their bodies and understanding about their condition on the part of physicians and people in general. RA p atients were more dissatisfied with areas of their lives that threatened th eir independence. Health care providers should be aware of these areas of d issatisfaction so that they can plan strategies to maximize patient quality of life.