The relationship between health related quality of life and disease activity and damage in systemic lupus erythematosus

Objective. To evaluate the relationship between self-reported quality of li fe and disease activity, damage, impairment, disability, and handicap in sy stemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Methods. In this cross sectional study disease activity was measured with t he Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) and the Sys temic Lupus Activity Measure (SLAM), and damage by the Systemic Lupus Inter national Collaborating Clinics/American College of Rheumatology (SLICC/ACR) damage index (SDI). Quality of life was assessed by the Medical Outcome Su rvey Short Form 36 (SF-36) and the EuroQol (EQ-5D). Multiple linear regress ion was used to identify significant associations of patients' health statu s, and logistic regression was used to evaluate the relationship of each of the 5 dimensions of the EQ-5D in terms of impairment, disability, and hand icap. Results. Damage was associated with the Physical Function (PF) and Social F unction subscales of the SF-36. Disease activity was associated with the Ge neral Health (GH) subscale. Ability to carry out usual activities was stron gly related to PF and GH as well as to global rating of the thermometer rat ing scale of the EQ-5D. Role Physical (RP) and Bodily Pain (BP) of the SF-3 6 were also associated with the EQ-5D rating scale. In addition, patients' ratings of anxiety and depression were strongly related to the Mental Healt h (MH) summary scale of the SF-36. Conclusion. Perceived health status of patients with lupus was associated w ith disease activity, damage, role physical, bodily pain, capacity for usua l activity, and mobility. EQ-5D is a valid instrument for the measure of he alth related quality of life in SLE.