Right Ventricular Function is Associated With Quality of Life in Patients With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Associated Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Background Right ventricular (RV) function has been identified as an important determinant of outcome in patients with pulmonary hypertension. We aimed to investigate the relationship between echocardiographic-derived RV function and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus associated pulmonary arterial hypertension (SLE-APAH), and to identify the best echocardiographic parameter for evaluating RV function in these patients. Methods Sixty consecutive patients with SLE-APAH (all female, mean age 33.6 ± 8.2 years) were recruited from May 2013 to November 2014. Echocardiograph, right heart catheterisation, SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI), and functional status and SF-36 generic questionnaire were assessed. Results Echocardiograph-derived RV systolic function was significantly correlated with haemodynamics (p  2  = 0.278, p  2  = 0.215, p  Conclusions TAPSE is a useful index for RV function assessment, and is associated with HRQOL in patients with SLE-APAH.