Table 3.
Patient reported flare triggers.
| Borderline SLE ACR 3+1 (N = 21) |
SLE ACR 4+ (N = 80) |
All patients (N = 101) |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Number (%) | Number (%) | Number (%) | |
| Could you identify any triggers to these events? | |||
| Stress | 13 (61.9) | 41 (51.6) | 54 (53.5) |
| Doing too much/run down | 9 (42.9) | 38 (47.5) | 47 (37.6) |
| Sunlight exposure | 5 (23.8) | 32 (40) | 37 (36.6) |
| Weather/temperature changes | 4 (19) | 16 (20) | 20 (19.8) |
| Overheating | 5 (23.8) | 15 (18.8) | 20 (19.8) |
| Infection | 3 (14.3) | 13 (16.3) | 16 (15.8) |
| Lack of sleep/insomnia | 2 (9.5) | 11 (13.8) | 13 (12.9) |
| Cold temperatures | 1 (4.8) | 9 (11.3) | 10 (9.9) |
| Work | 2 (9.5) | 7 (8.8) | 9 (8.9) |
| Being upset | 3 (14.3) | 6 (7.5) | 9 (8.9) |
| Strong chemical exposure | 4 (19.1) | 4 (5) | 8 (7.9) |
| Change in medicines | 2 (9.5) | 6 (7.5) | 8 (7.9) |
| Fluorescent light exposure | 1 (4.8) | 5 (6.3) | 6 (5.9) |
| Foods (spicy, bread) | 3 (14.3) | 3 (3.8) | 6 (5.9) |
| Hormonal periods | 5 (6.3) | 5 (5) |
Note: Other triggers reported in small numbers were dehydration, alcohol, long car journeys, inactivity, Christmas, gardening, allergic reaction, isolation, smoking, grandchildren, air conditioning, excitement, late night, and partying hard.