The prevalence of self-reported lower limb and foot health problems
experienced by participants with systemic lupus erythematosus:
Results of a UK national survey

Cherry, L; Alcacer-Pitarch, B; Hopkinson, N; Teh, LS; Vital, EM; Edwards, CJ; Blake, A; Williams, AE

Abstract

Objective: The main aim of this survey was to determine the frequency of self-reported lower
limb or foot and ankle complications experienced by participants with systemic lupus erythematosus
(SLE). A secondary aim was to determine the frequency of treatments that have been
received or that participants with SLE may like to receive if offered.
Method: A quantitative,
cross-sectional, self-reported survey design was utilized. The developed survey was checked for
face and content validity prior to patient partner cognitive debriefing in order to ensure
usability, understanding of the process of completion and of the questions posed. The full
protocol for survey development has been published previously.
Results: This is the first
comprehensive national UK survey of lower limb and foot health problems reported by
participants with SLE. A high prevalence of vascular, dermatological and musculoskeletal
complications was reported by survey respondents. Additionally, whilst the relative prevalence
of sensory loss was low, a quarter of people reported having had a fall related to changes in
foot sensation demonstrating a previously unknown rate and cause of falls.
Conclusion: Complications related to vascular, dermatological and musculoskeletal health are identified
as particularly prevalent in participants with SLE. Further, there is a suggestion that the
provision of interventions to maintain lower limb health is highly varied and lacks national
standardization, despite there being a strong indication of participant reported need.
The findings of this work can be used to inform care guideline development in addition to
identifying areas for future research.

Citation

Results of a UK national survey. Lupus, 26(4), 410-416. https://doi.org/10.1177/0961203316670730

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Aug 16, 2016
• Online Publication Date: Oct 29, 2016
• Publication Date: Apr 1, 2017
• Deposit Date: Oct 14, 2016
• Publicly Available Date: Oct 14, 2016
• Journal: Lupus
• Print ISSN: 0961-2033
• Electronic ISSN: 1477-0962
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• Volume: 26
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 410-416
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0961203316670730
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0961203316670730