Ola Ibrahim

Citation:

El-metwaly, O. E. A., N. E. Hanna, and M. E. S. Soliman, ASSOCIATES OF QUALITY OF LIFE AMONG WOMEN SUFFERING FROM SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS AT ALMANAIAL CAIRO UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL, , 2004.

Abstract:

The aim of this study was of two folds 1) Assessment of quality of life among systemic lupus women patients and 2) Identification of associates of quality of life among systemic lupus women under the study. A convenient sample of 60 adult women were recruited for this study; 30 with a definite diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus and the other 30 were healthy secretary women working at Al-manial Cairo University Hospital. The study was conducted at Rheumatology and Rehabilitation Department and at three medical units (9,19.31). Data pertinent to the study were collected through semi-structured interview using the following tools; 1) Socio-demographic Data Sheets (SDS) which were developed by the investigator, 2) The Translated Modified Arabic Version of Quality of Life Index Scale Cancer version by (Ferrell, Grant & Schmidt, 1992) used for SLE women patients & 3) The Combined Translated Modified Arabic Version of Quality of Life Index Scales by (Ferrans 1984; Ferrell, Grant & Schmidt, 1992 ) used for healthy women. The study findings answered the two stated research questions by documenting that no one of SLE women had reported high Quality of life as they had reported moderate Quality of life scores (164-346) to low Quality of life scores (347-520). Systemic lupus women had reported low QOL in the following dimensions respectively; psychological (83.3%), social (43.3%) spiritual (36.6%) and physical (33.3%). Socio-demographic characteristics of systemic lupus women revealed no statistical significant relation with their total quality of life scores except for significant others as the married systemic lupus women who recognized their spouse as significant others had reported the best quality of life total index scores. It is worth noting that even though socio-demographic characteristics of systemic lupus women revealed no statistical significant relation with their quality of life total index scores, the findings of the mean QOL total index scores showed that being single or housewife, having secondary school education, residing in rural areas and having first degree relatives as main significant others were associates of best QOL total index scores among the studied SLE women subjects. The current study concluded to the evidence of altered QOL among SLE women. Replication of this study is highly warranted to achieve more generaliazble results.