Drivers of cost and health-related quality of life in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE): a Swedish nationwide study based on patient reports

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to investigate drivers of cost and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) related to disease activity and fatigue among patients with systemic lupus erythematous (SLE). A questionnaire was sent to members of a patient organization with a self-reported diagnosis of SLE, requesting information on demographics and disease characteristics, medications, resource utilization, informal care, loss of productivity, fatigue and HRQoL in relation to SLE. Mean annual costs per patient were estimated from a societal perspective. HRQoL was measured through EQ-5D and fatigue was measured through a 10 cm VAS scale. Patient-reported disease activity was measured through the Systemic Lupus Activity Questionnaire (SLAQ) and corticosteroid dose. Drivers of costs and HRQoL were analyzed through regression analysis. A total of 339 patients out of 737 returned the questionnaire. Mean age was 55; 94% were female. The mean HRQoL measured through the five-item EQ-5D instrument was 0.64 and total costs were estimated at €22,594 (direct costs €7818; indirect costs €14,776). Disease activity, fatigue and corticosteroid doses had a statistically significant impact on costs and HRQoL. This study demonstrates that Swedish patients with SLE have low HRQoL and incur high societal costs and that are both associated with and most likely driven by disease activity, fatigue and corticosteroid use.

Awareness and Misconceptions of Female Students in King Saud University on Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

“…Therefore, it seems inadequate to evaluate disease awareness subjectively. This observed failure to recognize the disease's characteristics and symptoms may cause a delay in seeking medical advice which may result in a more severe form of the disease [6], leading to greater financial burden on both patient and society [7,8].…”

A framework for remission in SLE: consensus findings from a large international task force on definitions of remission in SLE (DORIS)

“…However, not all outcomes in SLE show the same favourable trends. Most notably, the overall health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) for patients with SLE remains reduced 2. This and other considerations prompted the initiation of the treat-to-target for SLE (T2T/SLE), initiative which over the past several years established an international consensus on the approach to the therapy of SLE based on (1) identifying an appropriate target for each patient; (2) initiating treatment steps to try to achieve this target; (3) assessing the target and (4) adjusting the therapeutic approach, if necessary.…”

Cumulative Corticosteroid Dose Over Fifty‐Two Weeks in Patients With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Pooled Analyses From the Phase III Belimumab Trials

“…The long-term prognosis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) remains unsatisfactory (1)(2)(3)(4). Long-term consequences of the disease and its treatment continue to accumulate in many patients, and significant increases in various comorbidities, such as cardiovascular disease, are often seen (5)(6)(7).…”