Quality-of-life measurements versus disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic disease affecting the physical, social, and psychological well-being of patients. Different instruments have been developed to measure health-related quality of life, some of which are SLE-specific. Contributors to poor quality of life in patients with SLE include fatigue, fibromyalgia, depression, and cognitive dysfunction. Health-related quality of life is not strongly associated with disease activity or organ damage. The Medical Outcomes Survey Short Form 36 is the most common instrument used to measure quality of life in SLE.