Abstract
BACKGROUND: Lupus cystitis may cause significant lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). This study aimed to evaluate LUTS and identify potential risk factors in female patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this case-control study, 46 female patients with SLE were assessed for LUTS using the International Consultation on Incontinence Modular Questionnaire on Female Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (ICIQ-FLUTS). The findings were compared with a control group of 20 women. RESULTS: The total incidence rates of LUTS in the SLE and control groups were 82.6% and 55%, respectively (p = 0.022). Statistically significant differences were observed between the 2 groups in symptom duration (p < 0.001), filling (p < 0.001), voiding (p = 0.001), incontinence (p < 0.001), and total LUTS scores (p < 0.001) as measured by ICIQ-FLUTS. Additional significant differences included renal echogenicity (p = 0.003), bladder wall thickness (p = 0.045), and the presence of pus cells in urine (p = 0.045). The possible risk factors for the occurrence of LUTS in patients with lupus cystitis included rapid weight loss (p = 0.025), easy fatigability (p = 0.006), fever (p = 0.046), psychosis (p = 0.033), and both renal (p = 0.025) and clinical (p = 0.047) SLE disease activity indices. The Spearman correlation between the total ICIQ-FLUTS score and the SLE Disease Activity Index was not significant (r = -0.203; p = 0.181). However, a statistically significant but weak correlation was observed between the ICIQ-FLUTS score and easy fatigability (r = 0.381; p = 0.013). CONCLUSIONS: The ICIQ-FLUTS demonstrated acceptable content validity and consistency in evaluating LUTS in patients with lupus cystitis. Rapid weight loss, easy fatigability, fever, psychosis, and elevated renal and clinical SLE Disease Activity Index scores were significantly associated with the occurrence of LUTS in these patients.