title: Inverse correlation of each functional status scale of the SF-36 with degree of disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus (m-SLAM).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) disease activity measured by a modified Systemic Lupus Activity Measure (m-SLAM) with functional/health status measured by the SF-36 questionnaire.
  
  
  METHODS
  m-SLAM and SF-36 scores were obtained on 71 SLE patients during 242 clinic visits over 15 months. Patients were stratified into disease activity groups (m-SLAM <2 = remission; 2-4 = mild; 4-6 = moderate; >6 = severe). Mean SF-36 group scores were compared by analysis of variance (ANOVA).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two hundred and nineteen m-SLAM and SF-36 scores were completed. The disease activity groups correlated inversely with the SF-36 scores in all eight subscales, i.e. the patients' perceived health, as assessed by the SF-36, correlated with their disease activity level as measured by the m-SLAM. Inverse correlation of SLAM activity groups with all eight SF-36 subscales was highly statistically significant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The significant inverse correlation of the m-SLAM with all domains of the SF-36 in this study provides potentially useful information for evaluating patients with SLE.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology, Ochsner Clinic Foundation, New Orleans, LA 70121, USA.
authors.forename: Jihan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Saba
authors.forename: Robert J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Quinet
authors.forename: William E
authors.initials: WE
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.forename: Marie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Krousel-Wood
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Chambers
authors.forename: Natalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Gomez
authors.forename: Leonard
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Serebro
authors.forename: Priya
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Nair
mesh_terms: D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D012720:Severity of Illness Index