Health-related quality of life in systemic lupus erythematosus: a longitudinal study on the impact of problematic support and self-efficacy

Objectives: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease which can affect any organ in the body, reducing patients' health-related quality of life (HR-QOL). Psychosocial research on SLE is quite recent and is mostly based on qualitative and cross-sectional evidence. Some studies suggest that a protective role is played by perceived self-efficacy in the management of the disease, while a detrimental role is played by problematic social interactions. Methods: In a longitudinal study, we tested the independent contribution of self-efficacy and problematic social support, in predicting patients' HR-QOL after 11 months. An online questionnaire was completed by 162 participants with SLE, the second questionnaire after 11 months. Results: Controlling for corticosteroids and hydroxychloroquine use, self-efficacy in the management of the disease at Time 1 showed a significant and positive effect on HR-QOL at Time 2, while problematic social support (denying/uninformed) showed a negative effect. Conclusions: HR-QOL of SLE patients is influenced by self-efficacy in the management of the disease and problematic support. Specific attention should be paid to the quality of patients' social relationships and their perceived efficacy in the management of the disease in focused interventions as in daily clinical practice.