Understanding the impact of systemic lupus erythematosus on work amongst South Asian people in the UK: An explorative qualitative study .
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Authors
Adizie, Tochukwu
Sheeran, Tom
Issue Date
2021-08-01
Journal
Type
Peer-Reviewed Publication
Qualitative Study
Survey/Questionnaire
Qualitative Study
Survey/Questionnaire
Keywords
South Asian
Women
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
Lupus
Employment
Ethnicity
Ethnic groups
Cultural barriers
Autoimmune diseases
Quality of life
Women
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
Lupus
Employment
Ethnicity
Ethnic groups
Cultural barriers
Autoimmune diseases
Quality of life
Journal Title
Lupus
Volume
30
Issue
9
Begin page
1492
End page
1501
Abstract
SLE has a range of fluctuating symptoms affecting individuals and their ability to work. Although South Asian (SA) patients are at increased risk of developing SLE there is limited knowledge of the impact on employment for these patients in the UK. Understanding ethnicity and disease-specific issues are important to ensure patients are adequately supported at work. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with patients of SA origin to explore how SLE impacted on their employment. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data which are reported following COREQ guidelines. Ten patients (8 female; 2 male) were recruited from three rheumatology centres in the UK and interviewed between November 2019 and March 2020. Patients were from Indian (n = 8) or Pakistani (n = 2) origin and worked in a range of employment sectors. Four themes emerged from the data: (1) Disease related factors; (2) Employment related factors; (3) Cultural and interpersonal factors impacting on work ability; (4) Recommendations for improvement. Patients' ability to work was affected by variable work-related support from their hospital clinicians, low awareness of SLE and variable support from their employers, and cultural barriers in their communities that could affect levels of family support received. These findings highlight the need for additional support for SA patients with SLE in the workplace.
Citation
Ubhi M, Dubey S, Gordon C, Adizie T, Sheeran T, Allen K, Jordan R, Sadhra S, Adams J, Daji R, Reynolds JA, Kumar K. Understanding the impact of systemic lupus erythematosus on work amongst South Asian people in the UK: An explorative qualitative study. Lupus. 2021 Aug;30(9):1492-1501. doi: 10.1177/09612033211022816. Epub 2021 Jun 6. PMID: 34092136; PMCID: PMC8283190.