Uncertainty in illness and psychological adjustment in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic illness characterized by unpredictability, which increases the risk of experiencing uncertainty in illness. The literature suggests that uncertainty in illness decreases psychological adjustment to illness in several chronic conditions. The purpose of this cross-sectional descriptive study was to explore the relationship between uncertainty in illness and psychological adjustment to illness in individuals diagnosed with SLE. Patients with a diagnosis of SLE were invited to complete an anonymous battery of online questionnaires assessing uncertainty in illness, psychological adjustment, quality of life, and social determinants of health factors. Uncertainty in illness was found to be positively correlated with depression and anxiety. These findings suggest that uncertainty in illness increases the risk of experiencing symptoms related to anxiety and depression among individuals diagnosed with SLE. Further, it is crucial that individuals diagnosed with SLE receive regular screening for symptoms related to depression and anxiety.