Quality of life in patients with systemic lupus erythematosis and arterial hypertension

Abstract

Introduction: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a chronic autoimmune disease, is characterized by multi-systemic impairment and, respectively, leads to decreased quality of life (QoL) in patients. Arterial Hypertension (AHT) is a common commorbidity in patients with SLE, with the potential to affect QoL. Respectively, studying the QoL in the case of the association of SLE with AHT is a challenge. Purpose: To study Quality of Life in patients with Systemic lupus erythematosus and arterial hypertension. Material and methods: Case-control study, that included 2 groups of patients: SLE without AHT - group 1, SLE with AHT - group 2. QoL was quantified by SF-8 questionnaire, total SF-8 (SF-8t) were calculated, Mental SF-8 (SF-8m) and physical SF-8 (SF-8f). Results: The study included 23 patients with SLE (SLICC criteria, 2012). The F: M ratio was 14: 1, the mean age was 41.2 ± 12.7 years. The duration of the disease was 80.1 ± 42.5 months, SLEDAI activity of 8.0 ± 7.8 points. • Group 1 - 11 patients with SLE without AHT, • Group 2 -12 patients with SLE and AHT. Conclusions: Patients with SLE was observed to have decreased QoL indices from the physical and mental components. Arterial Hypertension, is a comorbidity frequently associated with patients with SLE, which negatively influences the physical component of QoL, which implies the need for targeted management of BP values in these patients.