Association between social determinants of health and systemic lupus erythematosus: a nationally representative analysis of 2017–2021 data

Abstract Limited US recent data is available on the prevalence of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) by patient’s social determinants of health (SDOH). Careful assessment of individual SDOH that affects SLE is crucial, as such evidence could help improve care and hence reduce health disparities for...

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Main Authors: Ami Vyas, Steven Cohen, Christine Eisenhower
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-08-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-13071-7
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author Ami Vyas
Steven Cohen
Christine Eisenhower
author_facet Ami Vyas
Steven Cohen
Christine Eisenhower
author_sort Ami Vyas
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Limited US recent data is available on the prevalence of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) by patient’s social determinants of health (SDOH). Careful assessment of individual SDOH that affects SLE is crucial, as such evidence could help improve care and hence reduce health disparities for patients with SLE, especially for those who are most vulnerable and at the highest risk of poor outcomes. We estimated the prevalence of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) overall and by patient’s social determinants of health (SDOH), and also explored the associations between SDOH and SLE. We conducted a population-based cross-sectional study using Medical Expenditure Panel Survey 2017–2021 data. Patients with SLE were those with both SLE diagnosis and either had SLE-related medication use and/or visited a rheumatologist in the survey year. SDOH domains included economic stability, education, healthcare access and quality, social and community context, and neighborhood and built environment. Average annual prevalence of SLE by SDOH was determined. Separate logistic regressions were used to examine the association between each SDOH and SLE, controlling for confounders. Average annual SLE prevalence was 199 per 100,000 US adults (95% confidence intervals:170–224). In the economic stability domain, those with low family income showed higher odds of SLE than those with high family income (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 2.779, p < 0.05). Within the social and community context and neighborhood and built environment domains, non-Hispanic Black patients (AOR = 2.429, p < 0.05) and patients with any psychological distress (AOR = 2.127, p < 0.05) had higher odds of SLE, than their respective counterparts, respectively. Within the healthcare access and quality domain, those with Medicaid insurance had higher odds of SLE (AOR = 2.540, p < 0.05) than those with private insurance. Also, patients in the highest SDOH burden quartile had higher odds of SLE (AOR = 2.039, p < 0.05) than those in the lowest SDOH burden quartile. We identified several subgroups of patients especially those with higher social disadvantage and a higher SDOH burden. The prevalence of SLE increased with a higher SDOH burden.
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spelling doaj-art-3c9cb8bc30594b3e9bb8a594a55e2d212025-08-20T04:02:51ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-08-0115111410.1038/s41598-025-13071-7Association between social determinants of health and systemic lupus erythematosus: a nationally representative analysis of 2017–2021 dataAmi Vyas0Steven Cohen1Christine Eisenhower2College of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacy Practice and Clinical Research, University of Rhode IslandCollege of Health Sciences, Department of Health Studies, University of Rhode IslandCollege of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacy Practice and Clinical Research, University of Rhode IslandAbstract Limited US recent data is available on the prevalence of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) by patient’s social determinants of health (SDOH). Careful assessment of individual SDOH that affects SLE is crucial, as such evidence could help improve care and hence reduce health disparities for patients with SLE, especially for those who are most vulnerable and at the highest risk of poor outcomes. We estimated the prevalence of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) overall and by patient’s social determinants of health (SDOH), and also explored the associations between SDOH and SLE. We conducted a population-based cross-sectional study using Medical Expenditure Panel Survey 2017–2021 data. Patients with SLE were those with both SLE diagnosis and either had SLE-related medication use and/or visited a rheumatologist in the survey year. SDOH domains included economic stability, education, healthcare access and quality, social and community context, and neighborhood and built environment. Average annual prevalence of SLE by SDOH was determined. Separate logistic regressions were used to examine the association between each SDOH and SLE, controlling for confounders. Average annual SLE prevalence was 199 per 100,000 US adults (95% confidence intervals:170–224). In the economic stability domain, those with low family income showed higher odds of SLE than those with high family income (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 2.779, p < 0.05). Within the social and community context and neighborhood and built environment domains, non-Hispanic Black patients (AOR = 2.429, p < 0.05) and patients with any psychological distress (AOR = 2.127, p < 0.05) had higher odds of SLE, than their respective counterparts, respectively. Within the healthcare access and quality domain, those with Medicaid insurance had higher odds of SLE (AOR = 2.540, p < 0.05) than those with private insurance. Also, patients in the highest SDOH burden quartile had higher odds of SLE (AOR = 2.039, p < 0.05) than those in the lowest SDOH burden quartile. We identified several subgroups of patients especially those with higher social disadvantage and a higher SDOH burden. The prevalence of SLE increased with a higher SDOH burden.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-13071-7Systemic lupus erythematosusMedical expenditure panel surveySocial determinants of healthLogistic regressionSocioeconomics
spellingShingle Ami Vyas
Steven Cohen
Christine Eisenhower
Association between social determinants of health and systemic lupus erythematosus: a nationally representative analysis of 2017–2021 data
Scientific Reports
Systemic lupus erythematosus
Medical expenditure panel survey
Social determinants of health
Logistic regression
Socioeconomics
title Association between social determinants of health and systemic lupus erythematosus: a nationally representative analysis of 2017–2021 data
title_full Association between social determinants of health and systemic lupus erythematosus: a nationally representative analysis of 2017–2021 data
title_fullStr Association between social determinants of health and systemic lupus erythematosus: a nationally representative analysis of 2017–2021 data
title_full_unstemmed Association between social determinants of health and systemic lupus erythematosus: a nationally representative analysis of 2017–2021 data
title_short Association between social determinants of health and systemic lupus erythematosus: a nationally representative analysis of 2017–2021 data
title_sort association between social determinants of health and systemic lupus erythematosus a nationally representative analysis of 2017 2021 data
topic Systemic lupus erythematosus
Medical expenditure panel survey
Social determinants of health
Logistic regression
Socioeconomics
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-13071-7
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