Relation between cumulative damage in systemic lupus erythematosus and recognised disability by the National Social Security Institute of Spain (INSS)

Abstract

IntroductionSystemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a multisystemic autoimmune disease that particularly affects young women during their second and third decades. Events attributed to SLE itself and others related to the disease may impact negatively on the quality of life, employment and disability. However, there are not many studies focused on the impact that the disease may have on patients regarding those aspects. In Spain, the evaluation of disability and the assignation of a pension is given by the National Social Security Institute of Spain, INSS (“Instituto Nacional de la Seguridad Social”). ObjectiveTo assess the relationship between cumulative damage regarding the affected organ and the percentage of disability recognised by the National Social Security Institute of Spain (INSS) in SLE patients. MethodsCross-sectional prospective study of SLE patients according to the SLICC-2012 criteria, from the Rheumatology Service of two Spanish hospitals. We collected clinical and demographic data through personal interview and the SLICC/ACR questionnaire, and classified patients regarding a recognised disability or not. Results142 patients were evaluated; 30% had some percentage of official disability. We found a positive correlation between percentage of recognised disability and the SLICC/ACR index score. Musculoskeletal system is the most affected system, without differences between both groups; but we found a higher proportion of damage in nervous system, renal and vasculitis in patients with a recognised disability. ConclusionThere is a positive correlation between percentage of recognised disability in Spain and the cumulative damage in SLE.