{
  "abstract": "Objectives Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a heterogenous disease affecting multiple organ systems, and patients frequently experience pulmonary symptoms, including dyspnea. We assessed prevalence of dyspnea, and investigated associations between dyspnea and other patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs).Methods A total of 184 patients with SLE 1 (mean age 49 years, 86% women) followed at the Rheumatology Clinic at Uppsala University hospital completed PROM questionnaires during consecutive inpatient or outpatient visits. Pain, fatigue, and general health were assessed using a visual analogue scale (VAS 0-100). Dyspnea and depressive symptoms were measured on an ordinal scale (0-3), via the Systemic Lupus Activity Questionnaire (SLAQ).2–3 Smoking habits were recorded as dichotomic variables. Clinical data, including Hemoglobin (Hb) levels, were extracted from patient records. Statistical analyses included Spearman’s correlation and logistic regression (SPSS v29). Dyspnea was dichotomized (presence vs. absence) for logistic regression.Results Dyspnea was reported by 54.8% of patients: 53 (28.5%) mild, 36 (19.3%) moderate, and 13 (7%) severe. Low Hb levels were observed in 50 patients: 43 (23%, Hb <120 g/L) women and 7 (3.8%, Hb<130 g/L) men. Additionally, 56% (102/181) of patients reported depressive symptoms.Dyspnea significantly correlated with poorer general health (r=0.44, p<0.001), increased fatigue (r=0.41, p<0.001), and greater pain (r=0.40, p<0.001). These associations remained significant after adjusting for Hb levels in logistic regression: lower general health (OR 1.029, p<0.001), fatigue (OR 1.026, p<0.001) and pain (OR 1.021, p=0.001). Feeling of sadness/depression was strongly associated with dyspnea (OR 2.6, 95% CI 1.28-5.29, p=0.008) even after adjusting for Hb levels, pain and age. No significant association was found between smoking and dyspnea (p=0.28).Conclusions Dyspnea is a common symptom affecting over half of patients with SLE and is associated with poorer general health, increased fatigue, greater pain, and depressive symptoms. These symptoms persist independently of Hb levels or smoking status, highlighting the multifactorial nature of dyspnea in SLE. These findings warrant further investigation into the mechanisms and management of dyspnea in patients with SLE.References Hochberg MC. Arthritis Rheum. 1997. Pettersson S, et al. Scand. J. Rheumatol. 2017. Karlson EW, et al. Arthritis & Rheumatism, 2003.",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Department of Medical Sciences, Rheumatology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden"
      ],
      "name": "Rezvan Kiani"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Department of Medical Sciences, Rheumatology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden"
      ],
      "name": "Dag Leonard"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Department of Medical Sciences, Rheumatology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden"
      ],
      "name": "Maija-Leena Eloranta"
    }
  ],
  "title": "PO:13:337 Dyspnea affects over half of patients with SLE and is associated with pain, fatigue, and depression",
  "uid": "d4c6dc9e-c6d5-5b28-84f8-5b9ae12419cb"
}