A multi-center, cross-sectional study on quality of life in cutaneous lupus erythematosus patients
British Journal of Dermatology, 06/22/2012
Clinical Article
Vasquez R et al. – Most quality of life indicators were similar between the two cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) populations. Differences in psychosocial behavior, and a larger proportion of SLE patients and females in the UTSW group likely attributed to differences in a minority of Skindex–29+3 and SF–36 sub–domains. Capturing data from CLE populations in different locations provides a more thorough picture of the quality of life that CLE patients experience on a daily basis with special attention to quality of life issues in select CLE patients.
Methods- 248 CLE patients at UTSW (N=91) and UPenn (N=157) completed the Skindex–29+3 and Short Form–36 (SF–36) surveys related to quality of life.
- Additional information including demographics, presence of SLE, and disease severity were collected from UTSW CLE patients.
- Most Skindex–29+3 and SF–36 sub–domain scores between UTSW and UPenn CLE patients were similar.
- However, UTSW CLE patients were significantly more affected in the functioning and lupus–specific Skindex–29+3 domains, and physical functioning, role–physical, and general health SF–36 subscales than UPenn CLE patients (p<0.05).
- Factors related to poor quality of life in UTSW CLE patients include gender, income, education, presence of SLE, and skin disease activity.
