Impact of Demographic, Clinical, and Treatment Compliance Characteristics on Quality of Life of Venezuelan Patients With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Background: We have here assessed the impact of demographic, clinical, and treatment compliance characteristics on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of Venezuelan patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We have used a disease-specific questionnaire, the Lupus Quality of Life (LupusQoL), validated in our patient population, to measure HRQoL. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 100 patients with SLE from outpatient clinic. Patients completed a form with demographic, clinical, and treatment compliance data, and the LupusQoL questionnaire. HRQoL was classified as better or worse according to the cutoff points previously established for this patient population. Spearman’s r test was used to determine the correlations between age, years of education, disease duration, SLEDAI, and SLICC-DI with the eight domains of the LupusQoL. Mann–Whitney U test was used to compare HRQoL between the two groups of patients according to treatment compliance. Binomial logistic regression using the backward successive step selection method was performed to identified the risk factors associated with each of the eight domains of the LupusQoL between patients with inactive SLE (SLEDAI < 4) and active (SLEDAI ≥ 4). Results: HRQoL of our patients was classified as better in all domains of the LupusQoL. Age correlated negatively with all domains of the LupusQoL, except with “burden to others”, and disease activity correlated negatively with all domains of the LupusQoL, except with “intimate relationships” and “burden to others” ( p < 0.05). Patients who fully complied with indicated treatment had higher scores in “physical health” domain compared to patients who did not comply with at least one of the prescribed medications ( p < 0.05). In patients with active SLE, a risk factor associated with worse “planning” and “intimate relationships” was older age, while having had SLE flare-ups in the previous six months was a risk factor associated with worse “physical health” ( p < 0.05). Conclusion: Age and disease activity were negatively correlated with almost all domains of the LupusQoL, and treatment compliance was associated with higher score in the “physical health” domain. Disease control and treatment compliance should be the main goals for a better HRQoL in our patients with SLE.