1
|
Ahn S, Kim S, Zhang H, Dobalian A, Slavich GM. Lifetime adversity predicts depression, anxiety, and cognitive impairment in a nationally representative sample of older adults in the United States. J Clin Psychol 2024; 80:1031-1049. [PMID: 38294127 PMCID: PMC11216061 DOI: 10.1002/jclp.23642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2023] [Revised: 10/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Although life stress and adversity are well-known risk factors for mental health problems and cognitive impairment among older adults, limited research has comprehensively examined the impact of both childhood and adulthood adversity on psychiatric and cognitive impairment symptoms over a prolonged period. To address this issue, we investigated how lifetime adversity exposure is related to symptoms of depression, anxiety, and cognitive impairment in a nationally representative, longitudinal sample of older adults in the United States. METHOD We analyzed data from the Health and Retirement Study (1992-2016). The sample included 3496 individuals (59.9% female), aged ≥64 years old (Mage = 76.0 ± 7.6 years in 2016). We used the individual-level panel data and ordinary least squares regressions to estimate associations between childhood and adulthood adversities, and later-life depression, anxiety, and cognitive impairment. RESULTS Many participants experienced a significant early life (38%) or adulthood (79%) stressor. Moreover, experiencing one childhood adversity (vs. none) was associated with a 17.4% increased risk of adulthood adversity. Finally, as hypothesized, childhood adversity exposure was related to experiencing more depression and anxiety symptoms in later life, whereas adulthood stressor exposure predicted more cognitive impairment as well as more depression and anxiety symptoms. DISCUSSION These findings demonstrate significant associations between lifetime adversity and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and cognitive impairment in older adults. Screening for lifetime stressors may thus help healthcare professionals and policymakers identify individuals who could potentially benefit from interventions designed to reduce stress and enhance resilience.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- SangNam Ahn
- Department of Health Management and Policy, College for Public Health and Social Justice, Saint Louis University, Saint Louis, Missouri, USA
- Center for Population Health and Aging, School of Public Health, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - Seonghoon Kim
- School of Economics, Singapore Management University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Hongmei Zhang
- Division of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, The University of Memphis, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Aram Dobalian
- Division of Health Services Management and Policy, College of Public Health, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - George M. Slavich
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Benham G, Charak R, Cano-Gonzalez I, Mena Teran J, Kenemore J. Recent Stressful Life Events and Perceived Stress as Serial Mediators of the Association between Adverse Childhood Events and Insomnia. Behav Med 2024:1-12. [PMID: 38634227 DOI: 10.1080/08964289.2024.2335175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
Insomnia is common in college students and linked to poorer mental and physical health. There is growing evidence that adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) may contribute to insomnia in adulthood. However, beyond the need for additional replication of these findings, there is a need to identify underlying mechanisms that plausibly connect the two experiences. Based on a serial mediation model, the current study examined the role of two theoretically informed mediators: recent stressful life events and perceived stress. A cross-sectional survey of 2,218 college students at a large university in the southwestern United States was conducted between August 2020 and December 2021. The sample was predominantly Hispanic (96%) and female (73%), with a mean age of 20.7 years. Standardized measures of adverse childhood experiences, recent stressful life events, perceived stress, and insomnia were administered to participants online. Almost 20% of participants reported having experienced four or more adverse childhood experiences and 63% met the threshold for insomnia. Reporting four or more ACEs was associated with significantly greater insomnia severity, and this relationship was serially mediated by both recent stressful life events and perceived stress. However, recent stressful life events appeared to be the most powerful mediator. The results of the current study indicate that recent exposure to stressful life events serves as a plausible mechanism linking early adversity during childhood to adult insomnia and could therefore serve as a potential target for intervention. The findings suggest that students would benefit from university-wide efforts to reduce the number and/or intensity of common stressors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Grant Benham
- Department of Psychological Science, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
| | - Ruby Charak
- Department of Psychological Science, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
| | - Ines Cano-Gonzalez
- Department of Psychological Science, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
| | - Joceline Mena Teran
- Department of Psychological Science, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
| | - Jordan Kenemore
- Department of Psychological Science, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Parks CG, Pettinger M, de Roos AJ, Tindle HA, Walitt BT, Howard BV. Life Events, Caregiving, and Risk of Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases in the Women's Health Initiative Observational Study. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken) 2023; 75:2519-2528. [PMID: 37230960 PMCID: PMC10798355 DOI: 10.1002/acr.25164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Revised: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Growing evidence suggests psychosocial stressors may increase risk of developing autoimmune disease. We examined stressful life events and caregiving in relation to incident rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in the Women's Health Initiative Observational Study cohort. METHODS The sample of postmenopausal women included 211 incident RA or SLE cases reported within 3 years after enrollment, confirmed by use of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (i.e., probable RA/SLE), and 76,648 noncases. Baseline questionnaires asked about life events in the past year, caregiving, and social support. We used Cox regression models to calculate hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs), adjusting for age, race/ethnicity, occupational class, education, pack-years of smoking and BMI. RESULTS Incident RA/SLE was associated with reporting 3 or more life events (e.g., age-adjusted HR 1.70 [95% CI 1.14, 2.53]; P for trend = 0.0026). Elevated HRs were noted for physical (HR 2.48 [95% CI 1.02, 6.04]) and verbal (HR 1.34 [0.89, 2.02]) abuse (P for trend = 0.0614), 2 or more interpersonal events (HR 1.23 [95% CI 0.87, 1.73]; P for trend = 0.2403), financial stress (HR 1.22 [95% CI 0.90, 1.64]), and caregiving 3 or more days per week (HR 1.25 [95% CI 0.87, 1.81]; P for trend = 0.2571). Results were similar, excluding women with baseline symptoms of depression or moderate-to-severe joint pain in the absence of diagnosed arthritis. CONCLUSION Our findings support the idea that diverse stressors may increase risk of developing probable RA or SLE in postmenopausal women, supporting the need for further studies in autoimmune rheumatic diseases, including childhood adverse events, life event trajectories, and modifying psychosocial and socioeconomic factors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christine G. Parks
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institute of Health, Research Triangle Park, NC
| | - Mary Pettinger
- Division of Public Health Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA
| | - Anneclaire J. de Roos
- Department of Environmental & Occupational Health, Drexel University Dornsife School of Public Health, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Hilary A. Tindle
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
- Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Centers, Veterans Affairs Tennessee Valley Healthcare System, Nashville, TN
| | - Brian T. Walitt
- National Institute of Nursing Research, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Barbara V. Howard
- Georgetown-Howard Universities Center for Clinical and Translational Science, Washington, DC, USA; MedStar Health Research Institute, Hyattsville, MD, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Lee JK, Lee J, Chung MK, Park JY, Shin T, Lee KJ, Lim HS, Hwang S, Urtnasan E, Jo Y, Kim MH. Childhood adversity and late-life depression: moderated mediation model of stress and social support. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1183884. [PMID: 37435403 PMCID: PMC10331618 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1183884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Background As life expectancy increases, understanding the mechanism for late-life depression and finding a crucial moderator becomes more important for mental health in older adults. Childhood adversity increases the risk of clinical depression even in old age. Based on the stress sensitivity theory and stress-buffering effects, stress would be a significant mediator, while social support can be a key moderator in the mediation pathways. However, few studies have tested this moderated mediation model with a sample of older adults. This study aims to reveal the association between childhood adversity and late-life depression in older adults, taking into consideration the effects of stress and social support. Methods This study used several path models to analyze the data from 622 elderly participants who were never diagnosed with clinical depression. Results We found that childhood adversity increases the odds ratio of depression by approximately 20% in older adults. Path model with mediation demonstrates that stress fully mediates the pathway from childhood adversity to late-life depression. Path model with moderated mediation also illustrates that social support significantly weakens the association between childhood adversity and perceived stress. Conclusion This study provides empirical evidence to reveal a more detailed mechanism for late-life depression. Specifically, this study identifies one crucial risk factor and one protective factor, stress and social support, respectively. This brings insight into prevention of late-life depression among those who have experienced childhood adversity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jin-kyung Lee
- Institute for Poverty Alleviation and International Development, Yonsei University Mirae Campus, Wonju, Republic of Korea
| | - Jinhee Lee
- Department of Psychiatry, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju, Republic of Korea
| | - Moo-Kwon Chung
- Institute for Poverty Alleviation and International Development, Yonsei University Mirae Campus, Wonju, Republic of Korea
- Department of Global Public Administration, Yonsei University Mirae Campus, Wonju, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji Young Park
- Department of Social Welfare, Sangji University, Wonju, Republic of Korea
| | - Taeksoo Shin
- Division of Business Administration, Yonsei University Mirae Campus, Wonju, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyoung-Joung Lee
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yonsei University Mirae Campus, Wonju, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyo-Sang Lim
- Division of Software, Yonsei University Mirae Campus, Wonju, Republic of Korea
| | - Sangwon Hwang
- Department of Precision Medicine, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju, Republic of Korea
| | - Erdenebayar Urtnasan
- Artificial Intelligence Bigdata Medical Center, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju, Republic of Korea
| | - Yongmie Jo
- Department of Global Public Administration, Yonsei University Mirae Campus, Wonju, Republic of Korea
| | - Min-Hyuk Kim
- Department of Psychiatry, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Yoo N, Jang SH. Perceived household financial decline and physical/mental health among adolescents during the COVID-19 crisis: Focusing on gender differences. Prev Med Rep 2023; 32:102119. [PMID: 36718194 PMCID: PMC9872569 DOI: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2023.102119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Revised: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
COVID-19 has worsened adolescents' mental and physical health. Several studies have reported that the effect may be greater in girls; however, relevant socio-ecological factors have not been examined. This study aimed to examine the factors associated with physical and mental health status among adolescents and the moderating role of gender on the relationship between physical and mental health status and perceived household financial decline. We analyzed the cross-sectional 2020 Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey (KYRBS) collected between August and November 2020 in South Korea. It included 54,809 adolescents (28,269 males and 26,540 females), on average aged 15.1. We conducted ordinary least squares (OLS) regressions to examine the factors associated with physical and mental health outcomes. Gender differences were observed in associated factors. Then, we tested the moderating effect of gender by including an interaction term between gender and perceived household financial decline due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Perceived household financial decline due to COVID-19 negatively affected both groups. Perceiving moderate and severe financial decline due to COVID-19 is negatively associated with self-rated health among female adolescents than male counterparts. Female adolescents were also more vulnerable to mental health outcomes (i.e., distress, anxiety, and loneliness) when they perceived severe or moderate household financial decline due to COVID-19 compared to their male peers. Our findings suggest that female adolescents are more vulnerable to household financial shocks due to COVID-19, especially in households that have experienced a severe decline. We suggest the need for gender-sensitive policy interventions for adolescent mental health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nari Yoo
- Silver School of Social Work, New York University, 1 Washington Square N, New York, NY, United States
| | - Sou Hyun Jang
- Department of Sociology, Korea University, 145 Anam-ro, Anam-dong, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, South Korea
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Progression of depressive symptoms after early exposure to famine: The China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study. J Affect Disord 2023; 322:46-51. [PMID: 36375543 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2022.11.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Revised: 09/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The effect of early exposure to famine on progression of depressive symptoms has not been studied and the Chinese Famine offers a unique opportunity to explore this association with its long duration and widespread influence. OBJECTIVE To investigate the longitudinal association of early famine exposure with subsequent depressive symptoms and whether there existed a critical exposure period. METHODS Data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) were analysed. Famine exposure was evaluated retrospectively in 2014 and severe famine exposure was defined as starvation to death of family members. Depressive symptoms were assessed prospectively from wave 1 (2011-2012) to wave 4 (2018) using the 10-item Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). Linear mixed model and Cox proportional hazards model were applied to evaluate associations of famine exposure with progression or occurrence of depressive symptoms. RESULTS A total of 7053 participants were included. Compared with no famine exposure, severe famine exposure was associated with a faster growth in CES-D score (0.169 point/year, 95 % CI 0.035 to 0.304, P = 0.013) and an elevated risk of occurrence of depressive symptoms (HR 1.360, 95 % CI 1.069 to 1.729, P = 0.012). Further analysis revealed that famine exposure during middle childhood was associated with a faster growth in CES-D score (0.404 point/year, 95 % CI 0.164 to 0.644, P = 0.001). LIMITATIONS This is an observational study therefore causal relationship cannot be concluded. CONCLUSIONS Early exposure to severe famine was associated with aggravation of depressive symptoms. Middle childhood might be a critical time window for depression prevention.
Collapse
|
7
|
Arpawong TE, Sakuma KLK, Espinoza L, Huh J. Longitudinal Examination of an Ethnic Paradox of Stress and Mental Health in Older Black and Latinx Adults. Clin Gerontol 2023; 46:27-46. [PMID: 35320059 PMCID: PMC9500116 DOI: 10.1080/07317115.2022.2056102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To explain the ethnic paradox of mental health in aging, we evaluated whether Black and Latinx older adults experience (1) fewer depressive symptoms (DepSx), but more physical problems, and (2) greater psychological resilience as a result of life stressors than White older adults. METHODS DepSx, physical health, and recent stress were obtained biennially from 25,893 older adults (77% White, 15% Black, 9% Latinx) in the U.S. Health and Retirement Study, across 16 years. Psychological resilience, lifetime stress, and discrimination experiences were available for 13,655 individuals. We conducted mixed-effects and linear regression analyses. RESULTS For Blacks and Latinxs, experiencing more-than-usual stress events was associated with less increase in DepSx compared to Whites, although on average Blacks and Latinxs experience more DepSx. Black adults showed worse physical health than White adults and weaker effects of stress on psychological resilience despite experiencing more stress of all types. Findings were mixed for Latinxs. CONCLUSIONS Studying effects of time-varying stress on changes in health and multiple stressors on psychological resilience by race/ethnicity elucidates mechanisms for later-age health disparities. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS Cross-sectional evaluations of stress and psychological health in a clinical setting may provide incomplete appraisals of health risks for Black and Latinx older Americans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thalida Em Arpawong
- Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Kari-Lyn K. Sakuma
- College of Public Health and Human Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - Lilia Espinoza
- Department of Public Health, California State University, Fullerton, CA, USA
| | - Jimi Huh
- Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Wilson-Genderson M, Heid AR, Cartwright F, Pruchno R. Adverse childhood experiences, adult trauma, and depressive symptom trajectories. Aging Ment Health 2022; 26:2170-2178. [PMID: 34541986 DOI: 10.1080/13607863.2021.1978926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Associations among adverse childhood experiences prior to age 18 (ACEs), subjective reports of trauma during Hurricane Sandy, and trajectories of depressive symptoms reported by community-dwelling older people were examined. METHODS We analyzed 6 waves of data from 5,688 people aged 50-74 recruited in 2006 and followed for 12-years using multilevel mixed effects models. RESULTS We found that: (1) people who experienced ACEs had trajectories of depressive symptoms in late life that were higher than people not having these experiences, (2) people experiencing two or more ACEs were more likely to report fear and distress when Hurricane Sandy hit than people experiencing either one or no adverse childhood experiences, and (3) while both ACE exposure and peri-traumatic stress were associated with trajectories having higher levels of depressive symptoms, the risk associated with ACEs (especially multiple ACEs) was greater. CONCLUSION Findings support life course stress theories including the cumulative inequality theory and stress proliferation theory, suggesting that inequalities are manifested over the life course and that people experiencing adversity during childhood are at increased risk of experiencing adversity in late life. By studying the relationship between adverse childhood experiences and response to Hurricane Sandy our findings demonstrate that adverse childhood experiences can alter the way traumatic events in adulthood are experienced. This finding in turn, has important implications for clinical practice, as it identifies a group of people likely to be at risk for adult trauma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Francine Cartwright
- New Jersey Institute for Successful Aging, Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine, Stratford, NJ, USA
| | - Rachel Pruchno
- New Jersey Institute for Successful Aging, Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine, Stratford, NJ, USA
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Lynch T, Davis SL, Johnson AH, Gray L, Coleman E, Phillips SR, Soistmann HC, Rice M. Definitions, theories, and measurement of stress in children. J Pediatr Nurs 2022; 66:202-212. [PMID: 35868219 PMCID: PMC10085063 DOI: 10.1016/j.pedn.2022.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Revised: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
PROBLEM Stress in children remains a complex concept to examine due to the inherent subjectivity and lack of specific manifestations, as well as the multiple ways stress can be defined and measured in children. Because stress is multifactorial,is experienced daily by children, and undergirds adolescent health and early mental illness, it is crucial to have a clear understanding of stress and the effects of stress in children from infancy through age twelve years. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA To be included in this review, literature must pertain to and highlight theories, definitions/classifications, and measurements of stress in children from infancy to 12 years of age. SAMPLE The most pertinent articles identified through database searches (PubMed, Scopus, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Google Scholar), gray literature sources (e.g., child health websites), and reference lists of identified articles were included in this narrative overview. RESULTS The results of this review are organized by themes and include: classifications and definitions of stress, stress-related theories, and tools to measure stress in children. CONCLUSIONS Research addressing stressors and stress in children is limited, and there is wide variation in how researchers define and classify stress in children. Existing measures of stress in children younger than 12 address physiological, psychological, and observational components, but may be inconsistent and threaten validity of otherwise well-designed and well-executed studies. IMPLICATIONS Improving the understanding and accurate measurement of stress in children enables researchers and clinicians to curtail undesirable health outcomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thuy Lynch
- University of Alabama in Huntsville, 301 Sparkman Drive, Huntsville, AL 35899, USA.
| | - Sara L Davis
- University of South Alabama, 5721 USA Drive, N., Mobile, AL 36688, USA.
| | - Ann Hammack Johnson
- Harris College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Texas Christian University, 2800 S. University Drive, Fort Worth, TX 76109, USA.
| | - Laura Gray
- Gordon E. Inman College of Health Sciences and Nursing, Belmont University, 1900 Belmont Boulevard, Nashville, TN 37212, USA.
| | - Elizabeth Coleman
- University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1701 University Boulevard, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA.
| | | | - Heather C Soistmann
- Penn State Health Children's Hospital, 500 University Drive, Hershey, PA 17033, USA.
| | - Marti Rice
- University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1701 University Boulevard, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Ullah S, Haroon M, Hashmi F, Tayyab Z, Javed S. A Prospective Follow-Up Study on the Disease Course and Predictors of Poor Outcomes in a Random Population-Based Cohort of Newly Diagnosed Lupus Patients. Cureus 2022; 14:e27430. [PMID: 36051712 PMCID: PMC9420196 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.27430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and objective Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is one of the most devastating systemic autoimmune connective tissue diseases. There is a paucity of prospective data on Pakistani SLE patients, and in this prospective study, we aimed to investigate the disease course, clinical outcomes, and the predictors of poor outcomes in a random population-based cohort of newly diagnosed SLE patients (diagnosed within the last one year). Methods This was a prospective observational study carried out in the rheumatology department of the Fatima Memorial Hospital, Lahore. Lupus patients are regularly reviewed in our dedicated lupus clinic every one to three months. For the purpose of this study, a focus group of newly diagnosed patients (diagnosed within the last one year) attending our lupus clinic was identified and prospectively followed up for 12 months. A wide range of demographical and clinical parameters was recorded. The association of clinical variables with the progressive disease was determined using univariate and multivariate logistic regressions. Results Prospective data of 89 newly diagnosed SLE patients regularly attending our dedicated lupus clinic were reviewed. During the study period, (January 2021 through January 2022), these patients had multiple visits overall - median: five, minimum: three, and maximum: nine visits [interquartile range (IQR) 4-7]. All 89 patients had completed one year of follow-up. Of note, 46% of the cohort was noted to have an ongoing active disease during the majority of visits in the study period. On multiple logistic regression analysis, there was a significant association between ongoing active disease ("progressors") and low education status [odds ratio (OR): 2.81, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.01-7.76, p=0.046], stress at home (OR: 5.8, 95% CI: 2.13-15.8, p=0.001), and hematologic manifestations (OR: 3.0, 95% CI: 1.08-8.32, p=0.03). Conclusions Almost half of our cohort of lupus patients demonstrated active disease manifestations throughout the one-year prospective follow-up, and these were found to be associated with low education status, stress at home, and hematological manifestations.
Collapse
|