Effective Self-Management Interventions for Patients with Lupus: Potential Impact of Peer Mentoring

Abstract Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is associated with significant mortality, morbidity, and cost for the individual patient and society. In the United States, African Americans have three to four times greater prevalence of lupus, risk of developing lupus at an earlier age, and lupus-relate...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The American journal of the medical sciences 2017-06, Vol.353 (6), p.580-592
Main Authors: Williams, Edith M., PhD, Egede, Leonard, MD, Faith, Trevor, BS, Oates, James, MD
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
African American
African Americans
Female
Humans
Internal Medicine
Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic - psychology
Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic - therapy
Mentoring - standards
Peer mentoring
Self Care - methods
Social Support
Systemic lupus erythematosus
Women
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Summary:Abstract Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is associated with significant mortality, morbidity, and cost for the individual patient and society. In the United States, African Americans have three to four times greater prevalence of lupus, risk of developing lupus at an earlier age, and lupus-related disease activity, organ damage, and mortality compared with Caucasians. Evidence-based self-management interventions that incorporate both social support and health education have reduced pain, improved function, and delayed disability among lupus patients. However, African Americans and women are still disproportionately impacted by lupus. This paper presents the argument that peer mentoring may be an especially effective intervention approach for African American women with SLE. SLE peers with a track record of success in lupus management have a personal perspective that clinicians often lack. This commonality and credibility can establish trust, increase communication, and in turn decrease disparities in health care outcomes.
ISSN:0002-9629
1538-2990
DOI:10.1016/j.amjms.2017.01.011