The Psychological Effects of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: The Imitator of Aging

Objectives:Toassessthepsychologicaleffectsofsystemiclupuserythematosus(SLE), includingperceptionof aging, inacohortofparticipantswhowereeitherdiagnosedwithSLEorhadanaffectedfamilymember. Methods:Overaperiodof1year,weconductedonce-monthlyface-to-faceinterviewswith12participants. Theparticipantswerefrom4relatedfamiliesandinclude7femalesand5males.Threeparticipantshada confirmeddiagnosisofSLE.SpouseswerealsoincludedinthisstudytoassesstransitivityofthepsychologicalsignsofSLE.Responsestostructuredinterviewquestionswereanalyzedtoassesstheperceptionof aging. Results:ThemajorcomplaintsinparticipantsdiagnosedwithSLEwerepainandpsychologicalstress.Nephrotic syndrome,urinarytractinfection,weightdisordersandincreasedneedforpsychosocialsupportwerecommonin theparticipants’medicalhistory.QualitativeanalysisofquestionnairescompletedbyparticipantswithSLE revealedacorrelationof“feelingold”withthenon-resolutionofhealthcomplaints.Familymemberswhodidnot haveSLEalsoreported“feelingold”.Complaintsofstress,anxiety,nervousnessandlackofenjoymentof life werecommoninthosewhowerediagnosedwithSLE,aswellasthosewhowerenot.Allspousesreported experiencingdigestivedisorders,hemorrhoidsaswellasvariousphobias,regardlessofwhethertheirpartners hadaconfirmedSLEdiagnosis. Conclusions:Inthisstudy,wefoundthatparticipantswithSLEorthosewhohadaclosefamilymemberwith SLEdisplayedpsychologicalsignsofaging.Allparticipantshadapredispositiontoanxiety,whilespousesdevelopedvariousphobias. Statementofnovelty:Weshowthat individualswithSLEandclosefamilymembershaveanincreasedselfperceptionofaging.