The impact of lifestyle modifications on disease progression in patients with lupus

Khalid Ghazi Taju; Abdulmohsen Saleh Aloufi; Qassim Nabeel Alsehlawi; Raneem Yousef Alahmadi; Sarah Sami Alsubaie; Nasser Omar Alamri; Mohammed Hamed Qasem; Ahmed Abdullah Alharbi; Ibtisam Ibrahim Alsayed; Mohannad Yousuf Alhindi

doi:10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20244065

Authors

Khalid Ghazi Taju Department of Internal Medicine, Al Thager Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Abdulmohsen Saleh Aloufi Eradah and Mental Health Hospital, Al Kharj, Saudi Arabia
Qassim Nabeel Alsehlawi College of Medicine, Sechenov University, Moscow, Russia
Raneem Yousef Alahmadi College of Medicine, Taibah University, Medina, Saudi Arabia
Sarah Sami Alsubaie College of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Nasser Omar Alamri College of Medicine, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
Mohammed Hamed Qasem Department of Internal Medicine, Saudi German Hospital, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
Ahmed Abdullah Alharbi East Jeddah Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Ibtisam Ibrahim Alsayed College of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Mecca, Saudi Arabia
Mohannad Yousuf Alhindi College of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20244065

Keywords:

SLE, Lifestyle, Diet, Exercise

Abstract

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease with a complex pathogenesis influenced by genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. This narrative review explores the impact of lifestyle modifications on SLE progression, focusing on diet, physical activity, smoking, alcohol, caffeine, and ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure. Evidence highlights the benefits of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), vitamin D optimization, and calorie restriction (CR) in reducing inflammation and disease activity, while excessive n-6 PUFA intake worsens outcomes. Regular physical exercise improves fatigue, cardiovascular fitness, and psychological well-being, whereas smoking and UVR exposure are consistently associated with heightened disease activity and organ damage. The effects of alcohol and caffeine are less clear, with moderate alcohol intake showing potential protective effects and caffeine yielding inconclusive results. This review underscores the importance of lifestyle modifications as integral to SLE management, complementing pharmacological therapies to improve quality of life and long-term outcomes.

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