Background and aims Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects the quality of life of those affected by it. The aim of this study is to document the quality of life of patients with SLE in Kenyatta National Hospital using LUPUS QOL questionnaire.

Methods Patients who satisfy the ACR (America College of Rheumatology) criteria were consecutively recruited. All patients with SLE attending the clinic were included in the study. Patients were examined for the presence of malar rash, discoid rash, arthritis/athralgia, photosensitivity, CNS symptoms, serositis and oral ulcers. The patients then filled the LUPUS QOL questionnaire. The data was then analysed using SPSS version 17.0 using student t test and regression analysis.

Results Sixty two patients were analysed (60 females 2 males). Mean age of the population was 37.3 years ( 14–71 years). Mean age at diagnosis was 34.5 years with mean duration of illness 1.5 years. Majority (88.7%) had arthritis/athralgia, oral ulcers (62.9%), malar rash (59.7%), photosensitivity (58.1%), serositis (32.3%), CNS symptoms (27.4%) and discoid rash (17.7%). Patients scored globally low in all domains of LUPUS QOL. Highest domain was planning 63.7 (29.3), emotional health 61.3 (26.5), burden to others 58.9 (31.2), fatigue 57.5 (30.0), pain 56.6 (29.6), physical health 54.0 (23.3), body image 47.1 (24.2) intimate relations 41.1 (38.4).

Conclusions The HRQOL was low in all domains correlated with advance in age in the domains of physical health, burden to others, emotional health and fatigue.