The association between systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and early psychiatric background

The etiology of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) remains elusive. Research has established links between SLE and various mental health issues, including associations with psychiatric illness, unique symptomatology in SLE, a relationship between stress and disease exacerbation, and improvement in SLE patients after psychiatric and psychological treatment. However, the hypothesis that psychiatric conditions might precede SLE onset by long periods has not been empirically established. This study aims to address this gap.

This matched cohort study conducted a retrospective analysis using the electronic database of Clalit Health Services (CHS), Israel's largest HMO, comparing 2786 individuals diagnosed with SLE with 8358 non-SLE matched controls.

Two logistic regression analysis tests revealed significant associations between SLE diagnosis and prior psychiatric conditions. the first (p < 0.001) showed a 120% higher likelihood of psychiatric history among those diagnosed at least 10 years later with SLE compared to controls, and the second (p = 0.008) showed a 61% greater likelihood of a psychiatric history among those diagnosed at least 15 years with SLE. Investigation into the association between specific psychiatric indices and the later development of SLE found significant correlations between an SLE diagnosis and four psychiatric indices 10 years prior: dispensing of antipsychotics, anxiolytics, hypnotics, and sedatives; dispensing of antidepressants, psychostimulants, ADHD agents, and nootropics; diagnosis of mood disorders; and phobic and anxiety disorders.

The increased probability of pre-existing mental health issues preceding SLE onset by extended durations suggests a potential etiological role in SLE development.