Impact of Demographics on Lupus Patients' Challenges
Author Information
Author(s): Muacevic Alexander, Adler John R, Fusco Kellie N, Gonzalez Isoba Luis C, Alef Rachel, Roger Angelica, Mayrovitz Harvey N
Primary Institution: Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine
Hypothesis
How do demographic factors like age, race/ethnicity, and geographic location influence the psychosocial burdens faced by patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)?
Conclusion
The study reveals that socioeconomic factors and demographic identities significantly shape the experiences of SLE patients, highlighting the need for tailored healthcare interventions.
Supporting Evidence
- Most participants had health insurance but faced delays in specialist appointments.
- 20.1% of respondents could not afford their monthly medication co-pays.
- Higher rates of anxiety and depression were reported, especially among younger respondents.
Takeaway
People with lupus face many challenges, like getting medical help and paying for their medicine, and these challenges can be different based on things like their age and where they live.
Methodology
A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 294 SLE patients recruited from social media platforms to assess the impact of demographic factors on their psychosocial burdens.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to self-selection of participants from social media, which may not represent the broader SLE population.
Limitations
The sample size is relatively small, and the anonymity of the survey may lead to inaccurate self-reporting.
Participant Demographics
The majority of participants were female (88.1%), with a diverse racial/ethnic background including White/Caucasian (71.1%), Hispanic (10.2%), and Black/African American (7.1%).
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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