Damage index assessment and quality of life in systemic lupus erythematosus patients (with long-term disease) in Northeastern Brazil

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease that affects mainly young women. During the disease course, many organs and systems can suffer non-reversible damage that decreases both the patient's life span and also their quality of life. To determine the chronic damage and its correlation with quality of life, the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/American College of Rheumatology Damage Index was used in 63 patients who met the ACR criteria for SLE. Quality of life (QOL) was measured through the Medical Outcomes Survey short form 36 (SF-36), sociodemographic data were assessed using specific questionnaires, and disease activity was measured by the systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index. Overall, 32% of the patients presented damage. Neuropsychiatric (25%) and vascular (20%) involvement were the most frequently related. Organic damages were associated with disease duration (p < 0.03). General health status and social aspects of quality of life were also associated with disease duration (p < 0.05 and p < 0.038, respectively). Socioeconomic status and disease activity were not associated with organic damages and quality of life. This study concluded that disease activity, cumulative damage, and quality of life had some influence in the overall view of lupus but those parameters are distinct domains of health status in SLE. Our analysis identified that disease duration had an important association with damage index and general health status.