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Body Image in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

International Journal of Behavioral Medicine volume 19, pages 157–164 (2012)Cite this article

Abstract

Background

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a multisystemic disease of young women may be disfiguring and affect physical and emotional health. Body image literature in SLE is scant and controversial.

Purpose

We compared body image-related quality of life in subjects with (n = 87) and without (n = 78) SLE and determined its correlates using the body image quality of life inventory (BIQLI).

Method

The tool was self-administered to consenting individuals. Demographic information along with disease activity and damage assessments for SLE patients were obtained. T test, chi square test, correlational, and regression analyses were used to make comparisons.

Results

Mean age (±SD) were 42.4 ± 13.1 and 38.7 ± 13.2 years for SLE and non-SLE subjects, respectively. Mean (±SD) BIQLI scores were significantly worse in SLE than non-SLE subjects: 19.9 ± 33.2 and 41.6 ± 24.8 (p = 0.001). In SLE, BIQLI scores correlated inversely with overall damage, irreversible cutaneous damage, alopecia, and self-reported depression, and directly with age and health status.

Conclusion

Body image in SLE is poor, and effective interventions may be directed at cutaneous disease activity, damage, and depression.

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Author information

Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, 1611 West Harrison Street, Suite 510, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA

    Meenakshi Jolly, Rachel A. Mikolaitis, Jessica Cornejo, Winston Sequeira & Joel A. Block

  2. Department of Pharmacoeconomics, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA

    A. Simon Pickard

  3. Department of Psychology, Old Dominican University, Norfolk, VA, 23529, USA

    Thomas F. Cash

Authors
  1. Meenakshi Jolly
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  2. A. Simon Pickard
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  3. Rachel A. Mikolaitis
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  4. Jessica Cornejo
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  5. Winston Sequeira
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  6. Thomas F. Cash
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  7. Joel A. Block
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Correspondence to Meenakshi Jolly.

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Jolly, M., Pickard, A.S., Mikolaitis, R.A. et al. Body Image in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. Int.J. Behav. Med. 19, 157–164 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12529-011-9154-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12529-011-9154-9

Keywords

  • Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
  • Body image
  • Quality of life
  • Body image quality of life inventory (BIQLI)