Background Economic insecurities, such as food, housing, transportation, and financial challenges, are modifiable risk factors and influence patient‐reported outcomes (PROs) in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We examined: 1) associations between economic insecurities and PROs; 2) the impact of screening and addressing economic insecurities during SLE visits. Methods In the Collaborative Lupus Clinics in Madison‐Wisconsin, patients were routinely screened for economic insecurities and met with a social worker (SW) during visits. Clinical data including PROs from the PROMIS Global Health Short Form at baseline and follow‐up were abstracted from the Collaborative Lupus Clinics Data Repository. Using multivariable linear regression, associations between economic insecurities, social drivers of health (e.g., insurance), and PROs were assessed. Next, changes in PROs following SW discussions were evaluated. Results Among 222 patients (mean age 47; 90% women), 16% reported ≥1 economic insecurity. Each 1‐point increase in economic insecurity score was linked with lower PRO T‐scores in all domains: physical health (‐1.85, p ‐value = 0.04), mental health (‐1.32, p ‐value = 0.17), and social function (‐0.24, p ‐value = 0.03). A sequential increase in economic insecurities, ≥1, ≥2, ≥3, lowered physical health by 2.00, 3.86, 9.10 points, respectively. Patients with economic insecurities and Medicaid/no insurance had 2x lower PRO scores in all domains. Following SW intervention, PROs improved by 4.52, 1.12, 0.69 points in all domains. Conclusion While economic insecurities negatively affect PROs in SLE, a systematic approach to assess and address economic insecurities in clinics can improve PROs over time in SLE. image
Patel et al. (Tue,) studied this question.