Lupus greatly impacts quality of life for people living with the disease, including physically, mentally, and financially. In a new study, researchers analyzed health-related quality of life (HRQL), fatigue, sleep quality, and anxiety and depression symptoms, in a group of people with lupus with a high cardiovascular risk.

This cross-sectional study of 100 people with lupus looked at several factors, including demographics, height and weight data, as well as disease-related parameters (disease duration, activity and drug treatment), HRQL, fatigue, anxiety and depression symptoms, and sleep quality. The researchers found that:

• HRQL, fatigue, and sleep quality parameters were similar across people with lupus with and without a high cardiovascular risk.
• Higher prevalence of depression and anxiety was observed in people with lupus with a high cardiovascular risk.

It is important to understand the connection between HRQL and mental health symptoms in order to improve lupus disease management. Further studies are needed to investigate cardiovascular risk impact on quality of life and mental health for those with lupus. Learn more about health-related quality of life research for people with lupus.

Read the study