THU0382 Fatigue in chinese patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: contributing factors and effects on the quality of life
Authors: X. Du, Y. Zhuang, Q. Zhao, H. Chen, B. Shen
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2018)

<h3>Background</h3> Fatigue is a very common symptom in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), affecting more than 90% of patients<sup>[1]</sup>. Fatigue can lead to a decline in the quality of life<sup>[2]</sup>. Fatigue in SLE patients is associated with adverse demographic, clinical, and psychological characteristics<sup>[3,4]</sup>. However, there is no systematic study of SLE fatigue in China. <h3>Objectives</h3> This cross-sectional study aims to evaluate the contributors of fatigue and the effects of fatigue on the quality of life in Chinese SLE patients. <h3>Methods</h3> A self-report survey was administered to 119 SLE patients and 105 healthy individuals using the Fatigue Severity Scale(FSS) to assess the severity of fatigue. SLE patients completed the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) for disease activity, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale(HADS) for anxiety and depression, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) for sleep quality and the Short Form 36 health survey for the quality of life. Meanwhile, healthy individuals completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale(HADS) and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). We used Independent samples t-tests, Chi square analysis and logistic regression modelling to analyse these data. <h3>Results</h3> Our results found that the FSS score of patients with SLE was higher than that of the controls (4.33 ± 1.66 versus 3.41 ± 1.39; p &lt; 0.001). The SLE patients were significantly different from the control group in terms of anxiety, depression and quality of life. There were significant correlations among course of disease, anxiety, depression, subjective sleep quality, sleep disorders and fatigue in SLE patients. Meanwhile, logistic regression models identified depression and sleep disorders as predictors of fatigue. In SLE patients, fatigued patients had lower quality of life than those who were non-fatigued. <h3>Conclusions</h3> This is the first known evaluation of the contributors of fatigue and the effects of fatigue on SLE patients' quality of life in China. The majority of Chinese SLE patients suffer from fatigue, which significantly impairs their quality of life. The results emphasise the need for holistic assessment and targeted intervention/management of SLE patients to relieve the symptoms of fatigue and finally improve their quality of life. <h3>References</h3> [1] O'Riordan R1, Doran M2, Connolly D3. Fatigue and Activity Management Education for Individuals with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus[J]. Occup Ther Int2017Jan 11;:4530104. doi:10.1155/2017/4530104 [2] Finlayson M, Preissner K, Cho C. Outcome moderators of a fatigue management program for people with multiple sclerosis[J]. American Journal of Occupational Therapy2012;66(2):187–197. doi:10.5014/ajot.2012.003160 [3] 3 Özel F, Argon G. The effects of fatigue and pain on daily life activities in systemic lupus erythematosus[J]. Agri 2015;27(4):181–9. doi:10.5505/agri [4] 4 Yilmaz-Oner S, Ilhan B, Can M, Alibaz-Oner F, Polat-Korkmaz O, Ozen G, Mumcu G, Kremers HM, Tuglular S, Direskeneli H. Fatigue in systemic lupus erythematosus: Association with disease activity, quality of life and psychosocial factors[J].Z Rheumatol 2017 Dec;76(10):913–919. doi:10.1007/s00393-016-0185-0 <h3>Disclosure of Interest</h3> None declared