Glucocorticoid Withdrawal Symptoms and Quality of Life in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Abstract

Background/Objective. Chronic glucocorticoid (GCS) therapy is associated with increased risk of organ damage in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). However, discontinuation of low-dose GCS might cause withdrawal symptoms. This study is aimed at identifying GCS withdrawal symptoms and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among SLE patients. Methods. SLE patients whose prednisolone had been previously withdrawn or taken 9), but not statistically significant (40% vs. 20.6%, p=0.34). PROs were comparable between groups. Independent factors associated with SLEQoL were FACIT (adjusted β 1.31, 95% CI 0.76, 1.86, p<0.001), PHQ-9 (adjusted β 5.21, 95% CI 4.32, 6.09, p<0.001), and PSQI (adjusted β 4.23, 95% CI 3.01, 5.45, p<0.001), but not with AI (adjusted β -5.2, 95% CI -33.26, 22.93, 0.71, p=0.71). Conclusion. SLE patients with previous GCS exposure could experience AI and withdrawal symptoms such as sleep disturbance and depression during discontinuation of low-dose GCS. Fatigue, depression, and poor sleeper were significantly associated with poor SLEQoL.