The economic burden of systemic lupus erythematosus

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a systemic autoimmune disease characterised by variable and unpredictable manifestations that can severely affect a person's physical and mental well-being, social life and ability to acquire and maintain gainful employment. Damage to vital organs may ensue as a result of the disease itself or as a consequence of treatment, and patients often consume substantial health-care resources and incur considerable health-care costs. Furthermore, SLE tends to affect women in young and middle adulthood, at a time in their lives when they are usually most actively engaged in the workforce, and can have important consequences with respect to acquiring and maintaining employment and advancing in one's career. A number of studies have attempted to assess the health-care costs (direct costs) associated with SLE, the effects of SLE on employment and the associated costs due to decreases in work productivity (indirect costs). In this article, we review a number of recent studies that have added to our current understanding of the economic burden of SLE.