POS0158-PARE FATIGUE, JOINT AND MUSCLE PAIN ARE LEADING BOTHERSOME SYMPTOMS FOR PATIENTS WITH SLE IRRESPECTIVE OF ETHNICITY
Authors: J. Cortés-Hernández, E. Haladyj, P. Hossain, C. Jones, S. Pabbineedi, E. Back, T. Treuer, M. Guerreiro, S. Rednic
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2024)

<h3>Background:</h3> Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic, inflammatory multisystem autoimmune disease. The highest rates of SLE are identified among black women, followed by Asian and Caucasian women<sup>[1]</sup>. There is currently no cure for the disease and as a result treatment focusses on managing symptoms. Limited research has been conducted to explore the impact SLE has on patient quality of life in terms of symptoms experienced, their ability to work, and their overall quality of life (QoL). There is also a paucity of research that has been conducted on the impact of SLE in patients from diverse ethnicities who are currently under-represented in the medical literature compared with Caucasians. A call has been made for a more holistic approach beyond the clinical setting to understand the heterogeneity of SLE more fully and its impact on patient experiences, particularly those from diverse ethnic groups. <h3>Objectives:</h3> The purpose of this study was to present the impact of SLE on patients lived experiences from a diverse range of ethnicities. <h3>Methods:</h3> A cross-sectional observation study was conducted with SLE patients (excluding lupus nephritis and active CNS manifestations) currently residing in the UK and South Africa. Patients with a confirmed diagnosis of SLE were invited to participate in an online survey over a period of three months. Patient were asked to report the burden of SLE in terms of availability of treatments, its impact on family life, and their ability to work. Patient QoL was captured using the LupusPro, and ability to work using the Work Productivity Activity Impairment survey (WPAI). <h3>Results:</h3> A total of 121 patients met the study inclusion criteria and completed the study; 21 (17.4%) were from the UK and 100 (82.6%) were from South Africa. A total of 39 (32.2%) were Caucasian, 56 (46.3%) Black, 26 (21.5%) from "other" ethnicities. The mean interval from symptom onset to diagnosis was 1.6 years and time since SLE diagnosis was 7.8 years. The most common diagnoses of SLE (n = 45, 37.2%) were determined by a rheumatologist's clinical judgment. The most common treatments currently being received across the sample were painkillers (77.6%), immunosuppressants 68.6%, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). There was a consensus across all ethnicities that the most bothersome symptom was fatigue; followed by muscle and joint pain, see Figure 1 and Table 1. The LupusPro found SLE the number of medications, with their related side-effects, and difficulties with family planning had the largest negative impact on patient QoL. Patients agreed SLE has a negative impact on their ability to participate in family activities (76%) and intimate relationships (61%). In term of ability to work, productivity loss due to absenteeism caused by SLE was an average of 6.4 hours of an average 37 hour week. Presenteeism, productivity loss whilst at work due to SLE, was reported at an average of 45% per week. <h3>Conclusion:</h3> The burden of SLE on patients is high impacting patients physical and mental health, family life, QoL and productivity across diverse ethnicities in South Africa and the UK. Fatigue is a key symptom of SLE which if alleviated could significantly improve patient QoL. To our knowledge, this is one of the first studies to have investigated the burden of SLE on patients in across diverse ethnicities and in people residing with SLE in South Africa. Further research is required to understand the full impact of SLE on patients QoL across all ethnicities. <h3>REFERENCES:</h3> [1] Danchenko N, Satia JA, Anthony MS. Epidemiology of systemic lupus erythematosus: a comparison of worldwide disease burden. Lupus. 2006;15(5):308–18. <h3>Acknowledgements:</h3> <b>NIL.</b> <h3>Disclosure of Interests:</h3> Josefina Cortés-Hernández: None declared, Ewa Haladyj Eli Lilly, Pushpa Hossain: None declared, Cheryl Jones: None declared, Sushma Pabbineedi: None declared, Emily Back: None declared, Tamas Treuer Eli Lilly, Mariana Guerreiro Eli Lilly, Simona Rednic: None declared.