Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a diverse autoimmune inflammatory condition, affects various
organs and systems. Low immune tolerance to autoantigens along with aberrant activation of pathogenic
autoantibodies cause immune complexes to form in the blood or tissues.
Objective: This study aimed to determine the origin of sleep disturbances in systemic lupus erythematosus patients
that is essential to create specific and focused measures to enhance sleep quality.
Patients and methods: The present cross-sectional study included 73 systemic lupus erythematosus patients. Disease
activity was assessed by means of the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index 2000 (SLEDAI-2K).
SLE severity was assessed by the SLICC/ACR damage index. Life quality was assessed by the short form quality of
life (SF-36 QoL) scale. Assessment of sleep disturbances was conducted using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index
(PSQI).
Results: Patients with lower PSQI (21) scores showed significantly higher SLEDAI scores, indicating a more active
disease compared to those with higher scores (p=0.001). Lower scores were associated with significantly greater
SLICCs scores, indicating a more severe disease state (p=0.008). Patients with good PSQI 21 scores had slightly
higher SF36 scores (mean=60.58) than those with poor scores (mean=54.11), nevertheless, the disparity did not
exhibit statistical significance (p=0.071). Conclusion: Systemic lupus erythematosus patients often suffer from poor
sleep quality. Disease features and sleep variables impact sleep quality. Poor sleep may negatively impact systemic
lupus erythematosus patients' disease activity, damage, as well as well-being.
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