title: Health outcome improvements in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus using two telephone counseling interventions.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the effectiveness of two telephone intervention strategies for improving the health outcomes of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-eight SLE patients were randomly assigned to receive a 6-month telephone counseling intervention using either a treatment counseling (TC) or symptom monitoring (SM) strategy. Health outcomes were assessed using the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) and the Arthritis Impact Measurement Scales 2 (AIMS2).
  
  
  RESULTS
  At the 6-month followup, the mean AIMS2 Physical Function scale and AIMS2 Social Support scale scores were significantly improved (P < 0.05) for the TC group compared to the SM groups. The mean FSS score, AIMS2 Affect score, and AIMS2 Pain score were significantly improved (P < 0.05) for both groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Telephone interventions, especially using the TC approach, can be effective for improving the functional status of persons with SLE.
authors.affiliation: Arthritis Foundation, Atlanta, GA 30309, USA.
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Austin
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Maisiak
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Macrina
authors.forename: L W
authors.initials: LW
authors.lastname: Heck
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003376:Counseling / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013689:Telephone; D016896:Treatment Outcome