Investigating Health Literacy in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: a Descriptive Review

Mithu Maheswaranathan*, Sarah Cantrell, Amanda M. Eudy, Jennifer L. Rogers, Megan E.B. Clowse, Susan N. Hastings, Stacy Cooper Bailey

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

11 Scopus citations

Abstract

Purpose of Review: Inadequate health literacy is common among American adults, but little is known about the impact of health literacy in rheumatic diseases. The purpose of this article is to review studies investigating health literacy and its association with clinical outcomes in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Recent Findings: Several validated health literacy measures have been examined in SLE patients. Low health literacy is associated with worse patient-reported outcomes and lower numeracy with higher disease activity. Two studies found no association of low health literacy with medication adherence. One randomized controlled trial tested a medication decision aid among patients with low health literacy. Summary: We found a paucity of studies exploring health literacy in SLE. Low health literacy is associated with worse patient-reported outcomes and limited numeracy with higher disease activity in SLE. Further studies are needed exploring the impact of low health literacy on clinical outcomes and the effectiveness of literacy-sensitive interventions.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number79
JournalCurrent allergy and asthma reports
Volume20
Issue number12
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2020

Keywords

  • Health literacy
  • Lupus
  • Numeracy
  • Systemic lupus erythematosus

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine
  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Immunology

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