title: The use of micronutrient supplements is not associated with better quality of life and disease activity in Canadian patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Associations between the use of micronutrient supplements (MS) and disease activity, quality of life (QOL), and healthcare resource utilization were studied in a Canadian population of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
  
  
  METHODS
  QOL was assessed by the Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short Form. Healthcare resource utilization and disease activity/damage were determined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 259 subjects studied, 53% were MS users and 34% used only calcium/vitamin D. MS users had a higher Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics score and utilized more healthcare resources. Disease activity and QOL were similar between MS users and nonusers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MS are frequently used by patients with SLE and are not associated with concomitant benefit on QOL. MS users utilized more healthcare resources.
authors: University Health Network, Toronto Western Hospital, Toronto, Canada.
authors: Elaheh
authors: E
authors: Aghdassi
authors: Stacey
authors: S
authors: Morrison
authors: Carolina
authors: C
authors: Landolt-Marticorena
authors: Jiandong
authors: J
authors: Su
authors: Christian A
authors: CA
authors: Pineau
authors: Dafna
authors: D
authors: Gladman
authors: Murray
authors: M
authors: Urowitz
authors: Janet
authors: J
authors: Pope
authors: Christine
authors: C
authors: Peschken
authors: Deborah
authors: D
authors: Dacosta
authors: Joan
authors: J
authors: Wither
authors: Paul R
authors: PR
authors: Fortin
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002136:Calcium, Dietary / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002170:Canada; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D006295:Health Resources / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D018977:Micronutrients / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000627:therapeutic use; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D002136:Calcium, Dietary; D018977:Micronutrients; D014807:Vitamin D