This study investigated the relationship between mental health conditions (MHCs) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) through an umbrella and updated meta-analysis. Researchers reviewed 203 studies encompassing over 1.48 million individuals to assess the prevalence of MHCs in patients with SLE and determine whether these conditions influence disease risk or outcomes. The most common MHCs observed were sleep disturbances in adults (59.7%) and cognitive dysfunction in children (63.4%). Depressive disorders and posttraumatic stress disorder were both significantly associated with an increased likelihood of developing SLE.
The analysis also revealed that patients with SLE with concurrent MHCs experienced poorer outcomes, including lower quality of life, higher unemployment rates, and more somatic comorbidities. These findings highlight the high burden of mental health issues among individuals with SLE and suggest that pre-existing mental disorders may elevate susceptibility to the disease. The study concludes that integrating mental health evaluation and prevention into the comprehensive care of patients with SLE is essential to improving overall health outcomes.
Reference: Liu X, Jia X, Wang X, et al. Mental health conditions in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2024 Dec 1;63(12):3234-3242. doi: 10.1093/rheumatology/keae239. PMID: 38652594.
