Assessment of Quality of Life among Pregnant Women with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Abstract

Background: systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complex chronic autoimmune condition that represents a source of disability, creating a burden on the quality of life during pregnancy and affecting maternal, fetal and neonatal outcomes. Aim: This study aimed to assess the quality of life among pregnant women with SLE. Methods: A descriptive design was used. This study was conducted at Rheumatology Antenatal Outpatient Clinic at Ain Shams Maternity Hospital. A purposive sampling was used to recruit fifty pregnant women diagnosed as SLE, regardless of their education level. Tools: (1) an Arabic interviewing questionnaire for pregnant women with SLE, (2) a quality of life questionnaire for women with SLE, (3) a systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index and (4) a health assessment questionnaire for women with SLE. Results: findings of the present study revealed that less than half of the study women had age range between 30 to 39 years. The quality of life of the study women was affected regarding its three domains; social, followed by physical and least the psychological domain. Conclusion: Result supported the research question, that systemic lupus erythematosus had significant negative effects on the quality of life among pregnant women with SLE. Recommendations: Awareness raising programs should be provided for pregnant women about SLE to reduce challenges of flare and remission during pregnancy and improve their quality of life and pregnancy outcomes. It is preferable to conduct the programs for women with SLE at premarital and preconception periods of life.