Social Isolation Emerges as Key Concern Among Older Adults With SLE
A qualitative study published in ACR Open Rheumatology, exploring the lived experiences of older adults with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), has identified social isolation as a pervasive theme with significant implications for emotional health and perceived burden on others.
The study sheds light on the psychosocial dimensions of aging with SLE, suggesting the need for targeted interventions to address isolation and its mental health consequences.
Researchers conducted semistructured interviews with 30 adults aged 65 years or older (mean age 71.3 years) living with SLE. Using a descriptive phenomenological design, the study examined participants' interpersonal relationships, quality of life, and the perceived impact of SLE in the context of aging. Three core themes emerged: social isolation, perceived burden to loved ones, and adverse mental health effects.
Participants frequently attributed their social isolation to the manifestations of SLE—such as fatigue, physical limitations, or pain—rather than a lack of available social networks. One participant remarked on how SLE altered their engagement with others: “It’s not that I don’t have people. It’s that I can’t be there for them the way I want to. I feel like a burden.”
The study found that this sense of being a burden often compounded the effects of isolation, as individuals chose to limit social contact to avoid placing demands on family and friends. This dynamic deepened feelings of emotional distress. According to the authors, “Participants frequently reported social isolation, often related to SLE disease manifestations rather than unavailability of social networks and situated within the context of burdening loved ones and mental health effects of SLE.”
Notably, mental health challenges such as depression and anxiety were closely intertwined with both physical disease and diminished social connection. The emotional toll of living with SLE in older age was evident across interviews, suggesting that psychosocial needs in this population may be underrecognized in standard clinical assessments.
The authors conclude: “Social isolation was commonly reported by older adults with SLE.” They emphasize the need for larger observational studies to further characterize these experiences and understand the broader health implications. Investigational studies focused on mitigating social isolation may provide a novel avenue to improve both mental and physical health outcomes in this vulnerable population.
For practicing rheumatologists, these findings highlight the importance of screening for social isolation and emotional well-being as part of comprehensive care in older adults with SLE.
Reference
Lieber SB, Young SR, Shea Y, et al. Social connections in older adults with systemic lupus erythematosus: patient perspectives. ACR Open Rheumatol. 2025;7(2):e11801. doi:10.1002/acr2.11801
