Quality of life among female patients with systemic lupus erythematosus in remission

The objective is to assess quality-of-life (QoL) parameters among Indian female systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients with durable remission. Indian female SLE patients in remission determined by the European consensus criteria and age-matched female control participants were included in the study. All included participants underwent measurements of QoL [Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form-12 (SF12)], Fatigue Severity Scale, and structured interview with a clinical psychologist. The population comprised of 126 female SLE patients [median age: 27.5 years [interquartile range (IQR): 11]; median disease duration: 36 months (IQR 26)] and 110 female controls [median age 30 years (IQR 9)]. Clinical remission was seen in 65.9% (83/126) and complete remission in 34.1% (43/126). Significant fatigue was present in 18.3% (23/126). Both SF-12 physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS) were similar between SLE patients and controls [median PCS: 50.3 (IQR: 16.2) vs. 48.6 (IQR: 11.6); median MCS: 57.2 (IQR: 4.8) vs. 57.9 (IQR: 7.6)]. In generalised linear modelling, PCS was associated with fatigue [odd’s ratio (OR) 0.012, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.006–0.025, p < 0.001], disease duration ≥ 5 years (OR 23.16, 95% CI 1.548–346.58, p = 0.023), and complete remission (OR 33.16, 95% CI 4.43–248.15, p = 0.001); MCS with fatigue (OR 0.53, 95% CI 0.34–0.84, p = 0.007) and absence of depression (OR 3.65, 95% CI 1.07–12.44, p = 0.038). Patients with SLE in remission report significant fatigue in 18.3% of subjects. Both PCS and MCS scores are similar to healthy controls. Better PCS was associated with less fatigue, longer disease duration, and complete remission. Better MCS was associated with less fatigue and absence of depression.