The Relationship between Disease Activity Level and the Incidence of Depression in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients at Haji Adam Malik Hospital Medan

Abstract

Background: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a autoimmune disease that affects many

organs of the body. SLE is a disease that cannot be completely cured. Life is difficult with SLE

because the symptoms may come and go and it is unpredictable what will happen next. This

condition causes the SLE patients feel unhappy, frustrated, angry, and sad. If this happens for a

long time, it can cause SLE patients to experience depression.

Methods: This study used a cross sectional design of 63 respondents at H. Adam Malik General

Hospital Medan. This research data was obtained through history taking using primary data in the

form of MEX SLEDAI questionnaires and Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ 9) and secondary data

in the form of patient medical records.

Results: It was found that SLE patients at H. Adam Malik General Hospital were all female, most of

them were in the late adolescent age group with an age range of 17-25 years (39.7%), the last high

school education level (68.3%), not working (81%), Married (54%), duration of SLE disease 1-2 years

(36.5%), most SLE patients had mild disease activity levels (49.2%), most SLE patients have a mild

depression (34,9%). There is a significant relationship between the level of disease activity and the

incidence of depression in SLE patients at H. Adam Malik General Hospital (p ≤ 0.05) with a strong

and unidirectional relationship (ρ = 0.64).

Conclusion: There is a significant relationship between the level of disease activity and the incidence

of depression in SLE patients at H. Adam Malik Hospital Medan with a strong relationship.