FRI0386 Work disability and quality of life among multi-ethnic malaysian systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients
Authors: S.S. Shaharir, F. Abu Bakar, M.S. Mohamed Said, R. Mohd
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2018)

<h3>Background</h3> Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) are at risk of work disability due to the substantial impact of the disease towards their physical and mental health. <h3>Objectives</h3> To study the prevalence of work disability (WD) and unemployment rate among SLE patients, and their associations with the quality of life (QOL) in National University of Malaysia Medical Centre (UKMMC) <h3>Methods</h3> This was a cross-sectional study which recruited consecutive SLE patients who attended the Nephrology and Rheumatology clinic at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre (UKMMC) from March 2017 to July 2017. Information on their current and past employment history were obtained from a customised questionnaire and WD was defined as unemployment or an inability to do paid work due to illness at the time of study or at any time after the diagnosis of SLE being made. The disease characteristics, disease activity and damage were determined from the medical records. The quality of life was measured using SF-36 questionnaires. Statistical analyses were subsequently performed to determine the factors associated with WD. This study was approved by the UKMMC ethics research committee (FF FF-2017–109). <h3>Results</h3> A total of 197 patients were recruited, and their median age was 37 (32 to 47) years with median disease duration of 12 (8 to 17) years. Majority of them were Malays (n=116, 58.9%), followed by Chinese (n=69, 35%), Indians (n=8, 4.1%) and others (n=4, 2.0%). The prevalence of work disability was 35%(n=69) and the onset of WD was 4 (IQR:1 to 9) years after SLE diagnosis. WD was associated with older age, lower education level, more frequent disease flare, longer disease duration, higher SLICC ACR Damage Index, active disease (SLEDAI 2K and BILAG 2004 and had major organ involvement (lupus nephritis, haematological and neuropsychiatric), all p&lt;0.05. Patients who received plasmapheresis, intravenous methylprednisolone, intravenous immunoglobulin, Mycophenolate Mofetil and calcineurin inhibitors were also associated with WD. Patients with work disability also had significantly impaired QOL with lower SF 36 scores. On multivariate logistic regression analysis, the independent predictors of WD were lower education level, being married and involvement of lupus nephritis, haematological and neurolopsychiatric lupus (NPSLE). <h3>Conclusions</h3> More than one third of SLE patients had experienced work disability. Lower education level, being married and major organ involvement were the independent predictors for work disability. A larger prospective study is warranted to further delineate the risk factors. <h3>References</h3> [1] Garris C, et al. Impact of systemic lupus erythematosus on burden of illness and work productivity in the United States. Lupus2013;22:1077–1086. [2] Mok CC, et al. Risk and predictors of work disability in Chinese patients with SLE. Lupus2008;17:1103–1107. <h3>Disclosure of Interest</h3> None declared