Relationships among organ damage, social support, and depression in African American women with systemic lupus erythematosus

Abstract

Objectives Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) disproportionately strikes African American women. Social support can potentially reduce disease impact. The purpose of this study is to understand the relationship between organ damage and depression in African American women and how social support influences this relationship. Methods We used a mixed methods design, analyzing self-reported data on lupus-related organ damage, depression, and social support in 437 African American women with SLE recruited in the Georgians Organized Against Lupus (GOAL) cohort. Moreover, we conducted interviews among 15 GOAL participants to gather patients' perspectives about the role of social support in people who live with lupus. Results We found a significant association between organ damage and depression ( r = 0.163, p = 0.001), as well as between depression and social support ( F = 17.574, p < 0.001). The quantitative analysis did not render social support as a significant moderator in the organ damage–depression relationship. Interviews, however, revealed that African American women with the most severe organ damage have the greatest need for support. Conclusions Social support is a key resource for lupus patients with high disease burden. Overall, these findings highlight the importance of monitoring depressive symptoms in this population and developing interventions aimed to increase social support available to lupus patients.