Lupus & antiphospholipid syndrome
Upper limb function impairment is independently associated with all Lupus Quality of Life (LupusQoL) domains in systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors' conclusion
Impaired upper limb function and ADL performance are independently associated with poor LupusQoL across all domains in SLE
Study context
- Population
- Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and age-/sex-matched healthy controls
- Participants
- 240 vs 122
- Exposure
- Patients with SLE vs age-/sex-matched healthy controls; association of upper limb function and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) with LupusQoL domains
- SLEn = 240
- Healthy controlsn = 122reference
- Outcome
- Association of upper limb function (grip and pinch strength, Purdue pegboard dexterity) and DASH scores with all LupusQoL domains
Methodological detailsage-/sex-matched healthy controls, linear regression analyses
- Age-/sex-matched healthy controls
- Linear regression analyses
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
- Univariate: lower grip strength, pinch strength and Purdue pegboard scores, and higher DASH scores, significantly associated with diminished LupusQoL across all domains
- all P < 0.05
- Multivariate (adjusted for disease activity, damage, medications, FM and VAS): all upper limb function parameters independently associated with all LupusQoL domains, except body image domain in relation to the Purdue test
- P < 0.05
- DASH scores inversely related to all LupusQoL domain scores
- all P < 0.001
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Grip strength, pinch strength and dexterity
- Significant impairment in SLE vs healthy controls
- all P < 0.05
Original publication
Upper limb function impairment is independently associated with all Lupus Quality of Life (LupusQoL) domains in systemic lupus erythematosus. Rheumatology (Oxford). Published 18 January 2026. doi:10.
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