A NEW study has found that women living with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) face a significant emotional and psychological burden, with more than one-third showing signs of depression and nearly one-third screening positive for fibromyalgia. The findings underscore the need for holistic, multidisciplinary care that addresses not just physical symptoms, but also mental health and social support.
The cross-sectional study included 63 female patients with SLE attending a rheumatology clinic at Jordan University Hospital between September 2023 and March 2024. The research assessed the relationship between disease activity, fibromyalgia, and perceived social support on emotional well-being.
Researchers found that 34.9% of participants had depression, with 7.9% experiencing severe depression. Fibromyalgia, a condition that often overlaps with SLE and intensifies fatigue and pain, was identified in 31.7% of the women. Those with vascular involvement had a significantly higher risk of depression (odds ratio = 14.9), and women with higher physical quality of life scores were less likely to screen positive for fibromyalgia.
“Our study highlights the silent emotional toll that lupus can take on women,” said lead author Fatima Alnaimat. “This isn’t just about treating joint pain or skin rashes, mental health and quality of life must be part of the conversation.”
Despite most participants being on standard medications like hydroxychloroquine (79.4%) and glucocorticoids (73.0%), a large portion still experienced moderate psychological distress. The study used validated tools such as the PHQ-9 and GAD-7 to measure depression and anxiety, as well as the FiRST tool for fibromyalgia, and the SF-12 to gauge quality of life.
The researchers call for a multidisciplinary approach to SLE care, incorporating mental health services, physical therapy, and patient support networks to improve long-term outcomes.
Reference
Alnaimat F et al. Exploring the influence of social support, disease activity, and fibromyalgia on the emotional well-being of women with systemic lupus erythematosus. BMC Rheumatol. 2025;DOI: 10.1186/s41927-025-00476-0.
