Living with systemic lupus erythematosus in the developing world

Area of Science:

• Rheumatology
• Public Health
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Limited understanding of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) impact in developing countries.
• Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) is a critical but understudied aspect of SLE patient care globally.
• Existing research predominantly originates from developed nations, overlooking unique challenges in developing regions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and synthesize existing literature on HRQoL among SLE patients in developing countries.
• To identify research gaps and unmet needs in this patient population.
• To guide future research priorities for improving SLE patient outcomes in resource-limited settings.

Main Methods:

• Narrative literature review utilizing MeSH terms.
• Searched EBSCOHOST for articles published between January 1975 and February 2018.
• Included 31 studies from 11 developing countries, analyzing HRQoL in SLE patients.

Main Results:

• High disease activity and organ damage correlate with diminished functional ability and mental health.
• Low socio-economic status (SES) is a pervasive issue, exacerbating SLE outcomes by limiting healthcare access and support systems.
• SLE negatively impacts HRQoL in developing countries, mirroring findings from developed nations.

Conclusions:

• There is a significant global impact of SLE on patient HRQoL, comparable to developed countries.
• An urgent need exists for more HRQoL research, especially longitudinal, qualitative, and interventional studies in developing countries.
• Future research should focus on unmet needs and novel strategies to enhance patient outcomes and support systems.