Extent and characteristics of self-reported pain in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

Abstract

These findings expand the current knowledge of the extent of SLE-related pain and how patients perceive this pain. The results can contribute to affirmative, supportive and caring communication and especially highlight SLE-related pain in patients with a short disease duration and high disease activity.

The role of imaging in the evaluation of joint involvement in 102 consecutive patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

“…Firstly, joint pain is frequently reported by patients as one of the most common and disabling clinical manifestations [11]. Interestingly, in a study published in 2008, Malcus Johnsson et al have shown the presence of hand problems interfering with daily activities in 73% of SLE patients.…”

“…While for decades joint involvement in SLE has been considered mild and nonerosive, many studies have recently showed that patients with SLE develop joint deformities and, in up to 10% of the cases, an erosive deforming arthritis [7][8][9]. In addition, from the patient's perspective, joint pain is one of the most commonly reported symptoms that impact on quality of life [10,11].…”

Variation in pain related to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE): a 7-year follow-up study

“…Pain has also been reported to be a symptom which health professionals do not pay sufficient attention to [ 13 – 15 ]. Although pain is a commonly reported symptom in SLE, there is a large variation between different patients [ 16 ].…”

“…We have previously shown that nearly one quarter of a cohort with patients with SLE reported a high degree of pain on a visual analogue scale (VAS) ≥ 40 mm, and these patients also reported more fatigue, reduced health-related quality of life, and more signs of anxiety and depression [ 16 , 17 ].…”

Predictors of musculoskeletal flares and Jaccoud׳s arthropathy in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: A 5-year prospective study

“…They represent the heralding symptom in 60-80% of cases and are reported in up to 60% of disease flares (3,4). Inflammatory MS manifestations are described as a major cause of pain and compromised hand function, interfering with daily activities in 73% of SLE patients and causing low productivity or work disability in 49% and 17% of them, respectively (5)(6)(7)(8). In particular, impairment of patients' health related quality of life (HRQoL) is mostly associated with MS flares (9,10).…”