Mood, anxiety and personality disorders in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

ObjectiveThis study presents the current prevalence of mood, anxiety and personality disorders and factors associated with the existence of psychiatric disorders in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).MethodsThe study sample was comprised of 45 patients with SLE and 60 control subjects. Mood and anxiety disorders were ascertained by means of the Structured Clinical Interview for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition/Clinical Version. Personality disorders were diagnosed with the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM, Revised Third Edition Personality Disorders. The disease activity was assessed with SLE Disease Activity Index.ResultsOf the 45 patients, 21 (46.7%) had at least one mood or anxiety disorder, and 16 (35.6%) had at least one personality disorder. The most common Axis I and Axis II diagnoses in the patient group were major depression (22.2%) and obsessive–compulsive personality disorder (20.0%), respectively. Specifically, major depression, generalized anxiety disorder and obsessive–compulsive personality disorder were more prevalent in the SLE group compared to the control group. The existence of Axis I disorders was associated with a more severe disease activity of SLE.ConclusionMood and anxiety disorders, particularly major depression and generalized anxiety disorder, are frequently observed in patients with SLE.