Quality of life in systemic lupus erythematosus: a controlled study.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the quality of life (QOL) of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and to compare it with that of healthy women and patients with primary fibromyalgia (FM).


METHODS
QOL was evaluated using the QOL scale, which includes 16 items, each scored on a 7 point scale. Healthy controls were chosen from hospital personnel.


RESULTS
The study population comprised 75 female patients with SLE, 50 healthy women, and 30 women with primary FM. Compared to controls, patients with SLE had significantly lower scores for the health, work, active recreation, and independence items. The QOL scores were not associated with disease activity. Patients with SLE and FM had significantly lower scores for the health related items compared with patients with SLE without FM.


CONCLUSIONS
The QOL of patients with SLE was found to be impaired compared with controls. FM adversely affects the QOL of patients with SLE.
Abu-Shakra
M
M
Rheumatic Unit, Soroka Medical Center, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel. mahmoud@bgumail.bgu.ac.il
Mader
R
R
Langevitz
P
P
Friger
M
M
Codish
S
S
Neumann
L
L
Buskila
D
D
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005356:Fibromyalgia / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life