Factors associated with intimacy in female Taiwanese patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to investigate the association of demographic factors, clinical manifestations and disease activity of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with intimate relationships in female patients with SLE.DesignThis was a cross-sectional study based on questionnaires.SettingThis study was conducted at a regional teaching hospital in southern Taiwan from April to September 2019.ParticipantsAdult patients with SLE recruited from the outpatient rheumatology clinics of the study hospital.Primary outcome measureDisease-specific quality of life assessed using the Lupus Quality of Life questionnaire (LupusQoL).ResultsA total of 243 female patients with SLE were enrolled. The results of the multiple linear regression analysis indicated that the independent factors associated with a higher score in the intimate relationships domain of the LupusQoL included the age group under 40 years (p=0.001), education level of college or above (p=0.005), being employed (p<0.001), a better self-reported health status (p=0.012) and a lower SLE-Disease Activity Score (SLE-DAS) score (p=0.010). In addition, the intimate relationships domain was significantly and independently associated physical health (p=0.001), fatigue (p=0.006) and burden to others (p=0.002) domains of the LupusQoL.ConclusionsPhysicians should be vigilant regarding the intimate relationships aspect of the health-related quality of life in female patients with SLE, especially in those who are older, unemployed, have a low educational level, poor self-reported health status, higher SLE-DAS, fatigue, and feeling of burden to others.

Positive psychological capital, post-traumatic growth, social support, and quality of life in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: A cross-sectional study

“…Previous research has highlighted the influence of marital status on the QOL of SLE patients. 28 Interestingly, this study demonstrated that unmarried patients had a higher QOL, which may be associated with lower reproductive stress, aligning with findings from Wang et al and others. 29…”

“…Previous research has highlighted the influence of marital status on the QOL of SLE patients. 28 Interestingly, this study demonstrated that unmarried patients had a higher QOL, which may be associated with lower reproductive stress, aligning with findings from Wang et al and others. 29 The financial burden of treatment and regular followups for SLE patients is a significant expense for families, especially considering the low per capita monthly family income.…”

Effects of a walking exercise programme on disease activity, sleep quality, and quality of life in systemic lupus erythematosus patients

“…Previous studies determined that a total SLE‐DAS score of ≤2.08 represents remission; 2.09–3.77 represents low disease activity; 3.78–7.64 represents mild disease activity; and 7.65 or more represents moderate/severe disease activity (Jesus, Matos, Henriques, Zen, Larosa, Iaccarino, da Silva, et al 2019; Jesus, Matos, Henriques, Zen, Larosa, Iaccarino, Doria, Inês, 2019). The SLE‐DAS has established acceptable reliability and validity in Caucasian, African American, Asian, and Hispanic populations (Abdelhady et al, 2021; Hsu et al, 2022; Jesus et al, 2021).…”