Lupus & antiphospholipid syndrome
Physician perceptions of challenges and barriers to optimal care of systemic lupus erythematosus in Africa
Authors' conclusion
The study reveals that the primary reasons for late diagnosis of SLE in Africa are lack of awareness among primary healthcare doctors and financial constraints.
Study context
- Population
- African dermatologists, rheumatologists, nephrologists and internists, mostly from West and East Africa, majority practising in university and state-funded hospitals
- Participants
- 226 respondents
- Outcome
- Physician perceptions of factors impacting negatively on optimal SLE care and interventions to improve SLE care in Africa
Methodological detailsonline survey
- Online survey
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Perceived commonest reasons for late diagnosis of SLE in Africa
Lack of awareness of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) among primary care doctors
92.4%
Financial constraints
80.3%
Lack of access to health care
62.5%
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Priorities to improve SLE care in Africa
- Increased health care and financial resources as top priority
- >90%
- Continuing medical education for generalists, training of specialists and patient education and awareness programs considered less important interventions
Original publication
Physician perceptions of challenges and barriers to optimal care of systemic lupus erythematosus in Africa. Lupus. Published 28 May 2025. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →