Quality of Life of Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in Eastern Saudi Arabia: A Cross-sectional Study

Objective: To assess the quality of life of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, considering demographic and clinical factors that may influence their well-being. Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at King Fahd Hospital of the University, Al Khobar, with patients who had scheduled appointments at the rheumatology clinic from August 2023 to March 2024. The study included SLE-diagnosed patients with complete medical records who consented to participate. Data were collected using the Arabic version of the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus-Specific Quality of Life (SLEQOL) questionnaire, a structured online questionnaire that assesses health-related quality of life (HRQoL) across six domains. Results: A total of 110 SLE patients, with a mean age of 38.6 (±10.9) years, participated. The majority were female (89.1%) and Saudi nationals (97.3%). The overall mean SLEQOL score was 89.5. Physical functioning reflected the best QoL (11.4/42; 27.1%), while mood was most impaired (10.4/28; 37.1%). Treatment-related QoL (31.1%), activities (34.9%), self-image (36.6%), and symptom-related QoL (36.6%) showed intermediate impairment. Male patients had better physical functioning than females, Saudis reported better mood and activities-related QoL than non-Saudis, and patients without comorbidities had higher overall QoL. Conclusion: This study highlights the multidimensional impact of SLE in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. Physical functioning was least affected, whereas mood was most impaired, with nationality, gender, and comorbidities influencing several domains. These findings emphasize the need for comprehensive care that addresses physical, emotional, and psychological aspects to enhance patient well-being.