The use of micronutrient supplements is not associated with better quality of life and disease activity in Canadian patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.
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.
Aghdassi
Elaheh
E
University Health Network, Toronto Western Hospital, Toronto, Canada.
Morrison
Stacey
S
Landolt-Marticorena
Carolina
C
Su
Jiandong
J
Pineau
Christian A
CA
Gladman
Dafna
D
Urowitz
Murray
M
Pope
Janet
J
Peschken
Christine
C
Dacosta
Deborah
D
Wither
Joan
J
Fortin
Paul R
PR
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
D002136:Calcium, Dietary; D018977:Micronutrients; D014807:Vitamin D