Abstract
BACKGROUND: This study aims to investigate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) among patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) toward disease management and biologic therapy. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted between April 20, 2023, and May 5, 2023, among patients with SLE at Union Hospital Affiliated to Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology. A self-designed questionnaire was developed to collect demographic information of SLE patients and assess their KAP. RESULTS: A total of 463 SLE patients participated. The mean scores for knowledge, attitudes, and practices were 8.52 ± 2.36 (possible range: 0-11), 39.40 ± 3.38 (possible range: 11-55), and 27.10 ± 6.29 (possible range: 8-40), respectively. The path analysis demonstrated a significant and positive association between knowledge and attitudes, as indicated by a path coefficient of 0.455 (p < 0.001), and a significant and positive relationship between knowledge and practices, with a path coefficient of 0.709 (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Patients with SLE exhibited insufficient knowledge, negative attitudes, and poor practices.