Low health numeracy is associated with higher disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus

Objective Evidence suggests low health literacy is prevalent in the United States and associated with worse clinical outcomes, yet few studies have investigated health literacy in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of low health literacy a...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Lupus 2021-03, Vol.30 (3), p.489-494
Main Authors: Maheswaranathan, Mithu, Eudy, Amanda M, Bailey, Stacy C, Rogers, Jennifer L, Clowse, Megan EB
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Clinical outcomes
Creatinine
Health education
Health literacy
Lupus
Regression analysis
Systemic lupus erythematosus
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Summary:Objective Evidence suggests low health literacy is prevalent in the United States and associated with worse clinical outcomes, yet few studies have investigated health literacy in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of low health literacy and numeracy in lupus patients and to examine its association with disease characteristics. Methods Patients with SLE were recruited from an academic center clinic. Participants completed in-person assessments of health literacy (Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Medicine, REALM) and numeracy (Numeracy Understanding in Medicine Instrument Shortened Version, S-NUMi). Clinical disease activity measures were obtained, including urine protein to creatinine ratio (UPC), Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) and physician global assessment (PhGA) scores. Results Ninety-five SLE patients participated in the study; 13% had low health literacy and 73% had limited health numeracy. Patients with lower health literacy and numeracy were more likely to be Black, have Medicaid insurance, and earn income
ISSN:0961-2033
1477-0962
DOI:10.1177/0961203320979044