Socioeconomic status and organ damage in Mexican systemic lupus erythematosus women

Abstract

The objective of this cross-sectional study was to determine relationships between socioeconomic status and organ damage in Mexican systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. Demographic and clinical variables were assessed. Socioeconomic status was evaluated using the Graffar method and monthly household income. Lupus activity and organ damage were measured using the SLE disease activity scale, validated for the Mexican population (Mex-SLEDAI), and the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/American College of Rheumatology (SLICC/ACR) scale. The 143 Mexican female SLE patients included (mean age 40.1 ± 8.9 years, mean disease duration 8.9 ± 6.3 years) had a mean monthly household income of $ 407.2 ± 326.5. According to the Graffar index, 18.9%, 52.5%, and 28.7% had high/medium-high, medium, and medium-low/low socioeconomic status, respectively. Organ damage was observed in 61 patients (42.7%). Patients with organ damage had lower monthly household incomes ($241.4 ± 152.4 vs. $354.8 ± 288.3) and were more frequently unemployed (57.3% vs. 35.3%; p = 0.01) than those without. Low monthly income was not associated with lupus activity or self-reported health status. In the adjusted multivariate analysis, low monthly income ( < $300) was associated with organ damage. In conclusion, low income may be associated with organ damage in Mexican SLE patients.

Influence of Education on Disease Activity and Damage in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Data From the 1000 Canadian Faces of Lupus

“…This association was present even though the patients with low education were on average older at the onset of their SLE (so education would have been completed years before SLE onset for the vast majority). Previous studies demonstrated a link between low SES and worse SLE patient outcomes in disease activity, disease damage, mortality, and quality of life . However, most studies were from health care systems that did not have universal coverage that could marginalize those with low education .…”

Socioeconomic Inequalities and Severity of Plaque Psoriasis at a First Consultation in Dermatology Centers

“…For melanoma, there is a deprivation gradient for patients according to melanoma stage: the most deprived patients have a higher probability of having advanced-stage cancer at diagnosis (18,34). In chronic inflammatory diseases, such as lupus or systemic sclerosis, the same evidence has been reported: lower socioeconomic status is associated with a worse prognosis (35,36).…”

The Autoimmune Ecology

“…Patients with organ damage had lower monthly household incomes and were more frequently unemployed. Low monthly income was not associated with lupus activity or self-reported altered health status ( 208 ).…”