Rheumatology: Current Research
Open Access

Abstract

How can SLE Impact patient´s life

Macejova Z, Zarikova M, Oetterova M

This review examines the disease impact on life of 76 SLE patients by collecting data using special questionnaire. The impact of the disease on professional activities has confirmed that up to 63% of patients are registered disabled, of which 46% are granted full disability pension. SLE negatively affects patients’ career – up to 39% of SLE patients stated that they had to change a job due to their disease. SLE has a strong impact on everyday life of patients. SLE symptoms are significant even during the period of quiescence – they predominantly fatigue, reduced physical activity, and pain. Among the all activities of daily life the most influenced are staying in the sun and more stressful activities or sport. The fact that limitations in all monitored activities are present in more than 50% of patients is a serious issue. Treatment-related adverse events have negative impact on the quality of life in almost 70% of patients. The most frequent include gastrointestinal symptoms, visual disturbance, and osteoporosis. SLE has a significant impact on the quality of life of patients and hinders them from leading everyday life at the level comparable to healthy population.