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Fatigue is one of the most common symptoms of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) worldwide, yet it remains poorly assessed and managed. The lack of universal definition and standard measurement of fatigue may add to the continued limitations in its understanding across cultures.
The psycho-sociocultural underpinnings of fatigue are understudied; therefore, in this paper, we conducted a systematic review to understand a transcultural perspective of SLE-related fatigue.
Following PRISMA (Preferred Reporting items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis) systematic review guidelines, we searched CINAHL Complete, Scopus, and PubMed databases for all published articles covered until the search date. Search was expanded using citation and web search. A 3-step process was used to identify articles meeting the inclusion criteria. The results were analyzed using narrative synthesis.
From a total of 370 (n=364, 98.4% scientific databases; n=6, 1.6% web and citation search) articles searched, 18 (4.9%) studies met the inclusion and exclusion criteria and were included in this review. All (18/18, 100%) studies enrolled primarily female participants, and half (9/18, 50%) had cross-sectional designs. Although race was not reported in all studies, most studies had White racial background as the largest proportion of their samples. A majority (7/18, 39%) of the studies were conducted in the United States. Using a narrative synthesis, the prominent themes drawn based on the domains of the culture care theory (CCT) and the sunrise enabler were as follows: SLE-related fatigue (1) as an integral component of the disease process, (2) as a personal challenge, and (3) as a psychosocial dimension.
CCT and sunrise enabler by Leininger guided this review. There are still gaps on how other domains of the CCT and sunrise enabler might influence SLE-related fatigue experience, assessment, and evaluation. The findings from this review showed that SLE-related fatigue has disease, personal, and psychosocial components. Thus, a purely subjective assessment of fatigue in SLE and even other conditions may limit a more accurate assessment and management. The inclusion of disease, personal, and psychosocial indicators is warranted and essential. A culturally sensitive and congruent assessment as well as evaluation models and measurement tools should be developed to capture fatigue experiences accurately. In addition, since global migration is inevitable, advancement in symptom management strategies should coincide with the understanding that fatigue has subjective and objective indicators present across cultures.
Due to the increase in global migration, health care organizations are caring for more culturally diverse individuals and families. This culturally diverse setup is likewise expanding in the health care workforce, especially in countries recruiting foreign-educated and trained health professionals. These inevitable changes in the current landscape may influence the accurate assessment of symptoms and provision of culturally congruent care, especially in fatigue, which has robust psycho-sociocultural underpinnings but is currently without universal definition or standard of measurement. Given this situation, a better understanding of fatigue across cultures is needed.
Although there is no universal standard measurement of fatigue [
A transcultural perspective integrates similarities and differences of certain cultures to provide culturally congruent health care [
This article presents a transcultural (nursing) perspective. This perspective aims to provide culturally congruent care and practice based on the domains of the CCT and sunrise enabler, such as “technology, religion, family and kinship, politics, cultural beliefs and practices, economics, physical conditions, and biological factors” [
A search strategy was developed in consultation with subject matter experts using Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms relevant to SLE-associated fatigue and cultural perspectives of fatigue (
Systemic lupus erythematosus, lupus erythematosus disseminates, or Lupus AND Fatigue AND Culture, Transcultural, and “Cross-cultural Comparison”
“systemic lupus erythematosus” OR “lupus erythematosus disseminatus” OR “libman-sacks disease” OR “libman sacks disease” OR “disease, libman-sacks” OR “lupus” AND fatigue OR exhaust* OR tired* OR lethargy OR “muscle weak*” AND cultur* OR transcultur* OR “cross-cultural comparison”
Search strategy and search outcome (N=364).
Databases | Search strategy | No. of records, n (%) |
CINAHL Complete |
“systemic lupus erythematosus” OR “lupus erythematosus disseminatus” OR “libman-sacks disease” OR “libman sacks disease” OR “disease, libman-sacks” OR “lupus” AND fatigue OR exhaust* OR tired* OR lethargy OR “muscle weak*” AND cultur* OR transcultur* OR “cross-cultural comparison” OR belief* OR value* OR attitude* Limiters - Peer Reviewed |
59 (16.2) |
Scopus |
“systemic lupus erythematosus” OR “lupus erythematosus disseminatus” OR “libman-sacks disease” OR “libman sacks disease” OR “disease, libman-sacks” OR “lupus” AND fatigue OR exhaust* OR tired* OR lethargy OR “muscle weak*” AND cultur* OR transcultur* OR “cross-cultural comparison” OR belief* OR value* OR attitude* |
174 (47.8) |
PubMed |
“systemic lupus erythematosus” OR “lupus erythematosus disseminatus” OR “libman-sacks disease” OR “libman sacks disease” OR “disease, libman-sacks” OR “lupus” AND fatigue OR exhaust* OR tired* OR lethargy OR “muscle weak*” AND cultur* OR transcultur* OR “cross-cultural comparison” OR belief* OR value* OR attitude* |
131 (36) |
Articles were included if (1) they were original peer-reviewed research articles, (2) they were published in English, (3) they focused on patients with SLE, and (4) they mentioned fatigue and its derivative terms in the title or abstract. All research designs were included. Articles were excluded (1) if the articles did not describe a cultural perspective based on the CCT and the sunrise enabler or (2) if the articles were commentary, abstracts, theoretical, quality improvement projects, or literature review articles.
Articles were directly downloaded using the comma-separated values format. The downloaded comma-separated values, which is in Microsoft Excel, assisted the authors with organizing and deduplication. We used a three-step screening process, which is as follows: (1) titles were screened for relevance to the research question; (2) abstracts were then screened to determine further if inclusion criteria were met; and (3) full-text screening was completed on all articles accepted in step 2. Additional articles were also included using web and citation searches. Screenings were conducted independently by JBT and LNS. Disagreements were resolved through discussion. The more senior author (LNS) made the final decision if consensus was not reached.
A data charting form was developed based on PRISMA (Preferred Reporting items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis) guidelines by JBT and calibrated by both JBT and LNS. JBT extracted the data. LNS performed a quality check on data extraction after data extraction was complete. Based on the extracted information, homogeneity could not be established since the findings were not similar, and therefore meta-analysis or quantitative pooling was not feasible. We did not specify to which domains the findings belong because we maintain that a transcultural perspective is always open to interpretation from various cultures. Thus, by understanding the domains of CCT and the sunrise enabler by Leininger, a transcultural perspective from the findings were extracted.
Quality appraisal was conducted using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklists for Analytical Cross-Sectional Studies [
We synthesized extracted data using a thematic approach. This type of synthesis is useful when the data are varied and when dealing with abstract findings. Specifically, thematic synthesis involves an iterative review of data to identify patterns or themes. The authors used a narrative approach of thematic type for the following reasons: (1) meta-analysis was not feasible; (2) the main topic dealt with an abstract topic (transcultural perspective); and (3) data extracted from the included studies contained more textual data rather than numerical data.
A total of 364 articles were initially identified. After deduplication of these 364 articles, 290 (79.7%) underwent title and abstract screening; of these, 27 (9.3%) were eligible for full-text screening. In step 3, of the 27 eligible articles, 14 (52%) were excluded (
PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) 2020 flow diagram, which includes search of databases, registers, and other sources. SLE: systemic lupus erythematosus. *Consider, if feasible to do so, reporting the number of records identified from each database or register searched (rather than the total number across all databases/registers). **If automation tools were used, indicate how many records were excluded by a human and how many were excluded by automation tools.
The details regarding article characteristics included in this review are in
Study characteristics and the related findings of the studies included.
Author, year, and country | Title | Design and objectives | Sample | Transcultural fatigue perspective | Other key findings |
Almehed et al [ |
Health-related quality of life in systemic lupus erythematosus and its association with disease and work disability | Cross-sectional study: to determine the quality of life and its association with disease variables, employment status, and vertebral fracture among women with SLEa. | N=163; mean age: 48.5 (SD 13.6) years, sex: 100% female; race or ethnicity: “Predominantly Caucasian” | Patients with SLE scored significantly lower than controls on all SF-36b subscales. SF-36 is a tool to assess HRQoLc and a frequently cited general tool to measure fatigue. | The physical component score of SF-36 is associated with working ability, low SLEDAI-2Kd, glucocorticosteroid dose, and BMI. Being able to work was also significantly associated with younger age and high scores in PFe and RPf. |
Burgos et al [ |
Disease Activity and Damage Are Not Associated With Increased Levels of Fatigue in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients From a Multiethnic Cohort: LXVII | Longitudinal multiethnic cohort study: to determine the factors associated with increased levels of fatigue symptom through the disease course among patients with SLE. | N=515; mean age: 37.2 (SD 12.6) years; sex: 90.5% female; race or ethnicity: 32.8% African Americans | Increased fatigue levels were associated with White ethnicity; constitutional symptoms such as fever and chills, higher levels of the pain experience, abnormal illness-related behaviors, and helplessness. At the same time, the exercise showed to be associated with lower fatigue levels. Using SF-36, lower physical component score and mental component score, higher levels of helplessness, and abnormal illness-related behaviors were associated with higher fatigue levels. While higher levels of social support and lower levels of fatigue show association. | Demographics and socioeconomic factors were not significantly associated with fatigue. In addition, clinical characteristics were not associated with the (higher or lower) fatigue levels. |
Connolly et al [ |
Fatigue in systemic lupus erythematosus: impact on occupational participation and reported management strategies | Exploratory study (descriptive statistics and qualitative descriptive guidelines): to explore how people with SLE describe and cope with fatigue in their everyday lives. | N=12; mean age: 14.3 (SD 10) years; sex: 91.67% (11/12) female; race or ethnicity:100% White | In the study, fatigue was described as an unpredictable and constant characteristic of SLE, which affects work, leisure, and occupation. The most common factors to increase fatigue among the participants were stress, physical activity, and joint pain. Stress is the most commonly expressed concern, along with the experience of fatigue. | Social support from family, friends, and neighbors was valuable and provided practical help. Participation in employment requires routine and environmental modifications and considerable flexibility. |
Da Costa et al [ |
Dimensions of Fatigue in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Relationship to Disease Status and Behavioral and Psychosocial Factors | Cross-sectional study: using a multidimensional assessment, the study aimed to characterize the experience of fatigue in patients with SLE. It also determined the contributors to the physical and mental aspects of fatigue. | N=130; mean age: 45.4 (SD 14) years; sex: 100% female; race or ethnicity: “Primarily Caucasian” | In the study, there were significant positive correlations between physical fatigue, disease activity and damage, the presence of fibromyalgia, depression, and impaired sleep quality. There were also significant negative correlations between social support satisfaction and exercise. | Greater disease damage and disease activity; the presence of fibromyalgia, depressed mood, sleep disturbance, and less participation in leisure-time physical activity contributed to higher physical fatigue scores. |
Dobkin et al [ |
Living with Lupus: A Prospective Pan-Canadian Study | Prospective study: to portray the life of women with lupus and identify the predictors to the symptom of fatigue. | N=120; mean age: 42.50 (SD 10.83) years; sex: 100% female; race or ethnicity: 84.2% White | Patients experienced less fatigue with decreased depression and stress. | In the final follow-up of the study, even though the majority is faring in terms of distress, there remains a subset who experience distress and may benefit from psychosocial interventions. |
Donnelly et al [ |
Fatigue and Depression Predict Reduced Health-Related Quality of Life in Childhood-Onset Lupus | Cross-sectional study: to identify the risk factors that persistently reduced patients’ health-related QoLg with childhood-onset lupus. It also described a risk profile for persistent reduced health-related QoL. | N=50; mean age: 16.2 (SD 2.5) years; sex: 84% female; race or ethnicity: 23 (46%) African American; 23 (46%) White | At follow-up, poorer HRQoL was significantly predicted by higher fatigue symptoms and depressive symptoms during the initial visit. | A profile of significant anxiety, greater pain, and coping difficulties was seen in the high-risk group. |
Jump et al [ |
Fatigue in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Contributions of Disease Activity, Pain, Depression, and Perceived Social Support | Cross-sectional study: to investigate the associations between pain, depression, fatigue, and disease activity in patients with SLE. | N=127; mean age: 40.6 (SD 12.2) years; sex: 100% female; race or ethnicity: 62 (48.8%) White | There was an inverse relationship between perceived social support and fatigue. Perceived social support accounted for an additional 4% of the variance in fatigue scores. | Fatigue was the most rated symptom, significantly higher than all other symptoms assessed. |
Kent et al [ |
Burden of illness in systemic lupus erythematosus: results from a UK patient and carer online survey | Cross-sectional web-based survey: to assess the impact of SLE on both patients and carers. | N=121; age: 34% from 41-50 years median age group; sex: 94% female; race or ethnicity: 77% White | The symptom of fatigue and the feeling of being a burden to others greatly influenced the patient's HRQoL. In addition, the patient's social interactions are affected. Patients also reported reduced ability to engage in social activities (N=121, 89%). | Fatigue was the most debilitating symptom experienced daily by 79% (N=121) of patients. Patients with SLE relied heavily for help on their carer with basic daily chores, and 62% (N=121) also required emotional or social support. |
Kier et al [ |
How do women with lupus manage fatigue? A focus group study | Explorative qualitative study (focus group study): to describe the way patients with SLE manage their experience of fatigue. | N=27; median age: 53 (range 26-72) years; sex: 100% female; race or ethnicity: White | The main themes covered were related to being open, listening to the body, and accepting the experience of fatigue. | Fatigue is considered a controlling factor in everyday life of women with SLE. |
Kozora et al [ |
Major life stress, coping styles, and social support in relation to psychological distress in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus | Cross-sectional study: to examine the psychological processes in patients with SLE and rheumatoid arthritis with the measures of life stress, coping styles, social support, and cognitive ability. | N=52 patients with SLE; mean age: 34.6 (range 18-57) years; sex: 90.38% (n=47) female; race or ethnicity: 56.9% White in SLE group; 86%-96% White in the RAh and control groups | Patients with SLE had greater distress (which included fatigue) than patients with rheumatoid arthritis and healthy controls on all the subscales and the total score. | Patients with SLE had a significantly higher Social Withdrawal Subscale score from the Coping Style Inventory compared with healthy controls. |
Mattsson et al [ |
Uncertainty and Opportunities in Patients with Established Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Qualitative Study | Qualitative study: to describe the experience in everyday life of patients with established SLE; this included the negative and positive aspects. | N=19; median age: 55 (range 27-80) years; sex: 84.21% (n=16) female; race or ethnicity: not reported | Pain and fatigue influenced the everyday life of patients with SLE. | The experience of patients with SLE reflects uncertainties and opportunities. |
Moses et al [ |
Prevalence and correlates of perceived unmet needs of people with systemic lupus erythematosus | Cross-sectional descriptive study: to assess the prevalence and associations of perceived unmet needs of people with SLE. | N=386; mean age: 52.5 (SD 14.4) years; sex: 94% (n=363) female; race or ethnicity: not reported | Results showed that the need for help with tiredness had the highest prevalence (81%). | Reported proportions of unmet daily living issues varied from 17% to 61% for everyday living issues and reading difficulties, respectively. |
O’Riordan et al [ |
Fatigue and Activity Management Education for Individuals with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus | Sequential explanatory mixed methods design: to assess the impact of an occupational participation and fatigue management program called FAME. | N=21; mean age: 48.1 (SD 15.25) years; sex:100% female; race or ethnicity: not reported | Participants expressed a lack of understanding of their experience of fatigue. However, attendance to the fatigue management program validated through others in the group helped them accept their experience of fatigue. | The program provided a statistically significant improvement in depression and categories of “burden to others” and “fatigue” of the LupusQoL. |
Phuti et al [ |
Living with systemic lupus erythematosus in South Africa: a bitter pill to swallow | Phenomenology: to explore the lived experiences, perceptions, and unmet needs of South African patients with SLE. | N=25; mean age: 30.9 (range 22-45) years; sex: 100% female; race or ethnicity: 72% (n=18) Black African | Most of the participants talk about their challenges living with fatigue. Fatigue is commonly misunderstood, which negatively affects activities of daily living, work, and sexual well-being. | Similarly, pain is considered a common complaint affecting ADLsi, family, and social life. |
Raymond et al [ |
Patient Experience With Fatigue and Qualitative Interview-Based Evidence of Content Validation of The FACIT-Fatigue in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus | Qualitative study: to assess the content validity of the FACITj-Fatigue for patients with SLE and explore the experience of patients with SLE-related fatigue. | N=15; mean age: 52.1 (SD 13.1) years; sex: 86.7% (n=13) female; race or ethnicity: 53.3% non-Hispanic or White | Fatigue impacted the participants’ physical functioning (9/15, 60%), emotional impacts (15/15, 100%), social impacts (14/15, 93%), work or school-related roles (12/15, 80%), limited ADLs (15/15, 100%), and unable to do much (14/15, 93%). | The physical difficulties experienced affected their work, while the physical inactivity interfered with their ability to maintain a healthy weight. In addition, being unable to participate in social events was the most frequently reported social functioning limitation. |
Robinson et al [ |
Impact of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus on Health, Family, and Work: The Patient Perspective | Phenomenological, mixed-methods approach: to determine the critical health issue of patients with SLE from their perspective. | N=23; mean age: 43 (SD 13) years; sex: 83% (n=19) female; race or ethnicity: 61% (n=14) White | Focus group findings identified the most frequent health issues such as pain (n=19, 83%), fatigue (n=14, 61%), work or school impairment (n=13, 57%). From questionnaire findings, inability to do previous activities (87%), fatigue (87%), pain (87%), and inability to attend work or school (83%). | Arising from the literature review, some of the health issues identified were fatigue, energy, or vitality (n=8); depression (n=7); pain (n=4); helplessness (n=4); and the inability to cope with the disease (n=4). Impaired concentration (n=3), impaired work-life (n=3), anxiety or distress (n=3), and impaired or compromised personal relationships (n=2). |
Sterling et al [ |
Patient-reported fatigue and its impact on patients with systemic lupus erythematosus | Cross-sectional qualitative study: to explore the experiences of fatigue among patients with SLE and its impact on their lives. | N=22; mean age: 45.5 (SD 12.52) years; sex: 95% (n=21) female; race or ethnicity: 59% (n=13) African American or Black | Patients reported having variability in nature (frequency and severity). The symptom of fatigue was described to impact emotional, cognitive aspects, ADLs, leisure, as well as social and family activities. | Some participants associated depression with fatigue. |
Utset et al [ |
Correlates of Formal Work Disability in an Urban University Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Practice | Cross-sectional study: to determine the demographic, disease-specific, and psychological features associated with work disability among patients with SLE in a medical center. | N=143; mean age: 40.4 (SD 11.6) years; sex: 92% (n=132) female; race or ethnicity: 60.8% African Americans | Fatigue severity scores were significantly worse in formal work disability subjects compared with never-disabled subjects. | Ethnicity was associated with work disability status. |
aSLE: systemic lupus erythematosus.
bSF-36: 36-Item Short Form Survey.
cHRQoL: health-related quality of life.
dSLEDAI-2K: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index 2000.
ePF: physical functioning.
fRP: role physical.
gQoL: quality of life.
hRA: rheumatoid arthritis.
iADLs: activities of daily living.
jFACIT: Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy.
In the quality appraisal of the studies included, there are apparent differences in the methodological scores of studies. The scores ranged between 2 and 8 points, which is justifiable since the methodologies are incomparable. Thus, we did not set a cut-off score for inclusion in the review. Based on our appraisal, all studies included information on the criteria for sample inclusion. There was an incomplete discussion of the confounding variables and strategies for dealing with them. In the quality appraisal, the authors rated studies that employed qualitative methodology with “Not Applicable (N/A),” which was reasonable because some of the items in the quality appraisal checklist were not applicable for studies that employed a qualitative methodology.
This section presents the narrative synthesis of themes drawn from the studies included. The themes were extracted based on the patterns from the studies following the domains of the culture care theory.
Based on the studies included in this review, SLE-related fatigue showed variation in the nature and severity in the course of the disease [
In this review, SLE-related fatigue has been shown to be contributing to the daily challenges of patients with SLE. SLE-related fatigue was considered a controlling factor in the everyday life of women with SLE [
Moreover, SLE-related fatigue is commonly misunderstood, which negatively affects activities of daily living, work, and sexual well-being [
The psychosocial dimension has influenced SLE-related fatigue’s nature and severity levels. Higher levels of social support were associated with lower fatigue levels [
Stress as a social construct also influenced fatigue levels. Patients were less fatigued when depression and stress were decreased [
Although SLE-related fatigue is one of the most common symptoms in SLE, there is still an inadequate understanding of it across cultures, which limits providing an accurate assessment, evaluation, and management. Currently, there are no consistent findings on the relationship of SLE-related fatigue and immunologic and inflammatory disease characteristics; however, some psychosocial characteristics are associated with SLE-related fatigue [
The development of the CCT and the sunrise enabler was traced back from Leininger’s dissertation in 1970s, which, as she explained, was derived from anthropology. The theory aims to facilitate and explain the interdependence of culture and care by noting differences and similarities across cultures to achieve a culturally congruent care. Along with the theory is the sunrise enabler, which serves to introduce the different aspects of the theory such as the dimensions, facets, and its components [
The key findings from this review affirm that SLE-related fatigue has underpinnings rooted in (1) biological factors; (2) kinship and social factors; (3) cultural values, beliefs, and lifeways factors; (4) economic factors; and (5) all factors of the CCT and the sunrise enabler that relate to QoL. Based on the themes of this review, SLE-related fatigue reflects an expanding dimension from a biological point of view to environmental and cultural dimensions.
Often, fatigue is understood from biological factors or from a clinical lens; in this review, the clinical attributes of individual with SLE-related fatigue may represent a biological factor. In the CCT and sunrise enabler, biological factors include hereditary, genetic conditions, including those influencing and being influenced by professional and generic care [
Fatigue may be associated with disease activity; however, this is not always the case [
The culture, value, belief, and lifeway factors influencing SLE-related fatigue were the QoL and individual functioning, whereas in terms of kinship and social factors, stress and social support should be taken into consideration. QoL, functioning, social support, and stress are intertwined in a social and cultural setting because they exist in the day-to-day living conditions of individuals with SLE. These findings support those of a prior study that there were significant associations among changes in fatigue scores, SF-36 physical subscale, mood, and some domains of LupusQOL [
A seminal Integrated Fatigue Management Model supports the findings of this review. The dimensions of fatigue, such as subjective, physiological, biochemical and metabolic, and behavioral aspects, are surrounded by social factors such as cultural and ethnic practices, significant life event patterns, environmental patterns, psychological, activity and rest, race, and genetic makeup, among others. The surrounding factors are thought to modulate fatigue [
Some of the limitations of this review should be considered. First, a meta-analysis was not feasible due to the variations in methodologies used. With this variation, a narrative summary was deemed more appropriate, and only 3 databases were considered and expanded to citation and web searches. Since only 3 databases were considered, articles from other countries may have been missed. Third, only 1 author (JBT) conducted the synthesis, and it was ascertained by the second author (LNS), which may pose limitations to the breadth of the review. The review may also be limited to the countries where the studies were conducted. For instance, there was no study conducted in an Asian country in this review. An additional limitation of the review may also be pointed to the predominantly female sample and White ethnicity of the study participants enrolled. The name of the research designs was based on what the authors have indicated in their respective articles. Since this review used a thematic approach in presenting the data, this may limit the presentation in terms of the heterogeneity of the studies included. The conclusion may also be biased since the themes were based on a single theoretical framework. There was also an incomplete discussion of the confounding variables in the studies included. Future research or review should also include more male individuals and participants from other racial and ethnic backgrounds and use other theoretical frameworks to comprehensively assess the transcultural aspect of SLE-related fatigue.
This systematic review, focusing on SLE-related fatigue, draws evidence that SLE-related fatigue experience has both disease-related, personal, and psychosocial components. Applying culture care theory and sunrise enabler by Leininger, there are still gaps in the literature on how technological advances, individuals’ religion and philosophy, political climate, economic and educational factors, and the worldviews of particular geographic locations might influence SLE-related fatigue experience across cultures. More culturally congruent fatigue symptom assessment and treatment may also be derived by applying the findings of this review. The CCT and the sunrise enabler may be used in different conditions to capture the holistic components of different aspects of the disease. Cultural and contextual considerations are also warranted to improve the assessment and evaluation of the outcomes of SLE-related fatigue. Pure symptom assessment based on subjective data may narrow the potential or actual factors contributing to SLE-related fatigue. Adding the disease, personal and psychosocial indicators of fatigue should be considered. Future research should be conducted on the following areas: (1) large-scale cross-cultural study focusing on contributing factors for SLE-related fatigue; (2) employment impact of SLE-related fatigue; (3) increasing male participants in empirical studies conducted; and (4) transcultural perspective of fatigue in other conditions.
culture care theory
Medical Subject Headings
Preferred Reporting items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis
Quality of Life
36-Item Short Form Survey
systemic lupus erythematosus
JT would like to acknowledge the graduate studies professors from the University of the Philippines Manila, College of Nursing, where this article was initially developed.
None declared.