B-Cell Activating Factor Profile and Quality of Life in Systemic LupusErythematosus Patients

Abstract

Background: B-Cell Activating Factor (BAFF) is a cytokine that plays a role
in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) pathogenesis.  BAFF increases B cell
function, which will affect disease activity.  In addition to decreasing disease
activity, good quality of life (QoL) is one of the goals to be achieved in SLE
therapy, which is also affected by disease activity.  The purpose of this study
is to know the correlation of the BAFF profile with the QoL of SLE patients.
Methods:  This was a cross-sectional study using secondary data from a
previous study.  The subjects of this study were SLE patients who had visited
the rheumatology outpatient clinic or were hospitalized in Hasan Sadikin
Hospital Bandung from September 2016 until February 2017.  Subjects were
asked to complete the Short Form-36 and measure their BAFF level in
serum.  Demographic data were collected, and disease activity data were
assessed by Mexican Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index
(MEX-SLEDAI).  The statistical analysis used in this study was the Spearman
test. Results: There was a positive correlation between BAFF and MEXSLEDAI

(r 0.238, p-value 0.038).  There was also a negative correlation
between MEX-SLEDAI and PCS, as well as the MCS score (r -0.392 and 0.371,

p-value <0.05). Conclusion:  BAFF levels will increase in higher
disease activity which will affect a poorer quality of life.