Fighting Fatigue in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Experience of Dehydroepiandrosterone on Clinical Parameters and Patient-Reported Outcomes

Manifestations related to ongoing inflammation in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are often adequately managed, but patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) support that fatigue and low quality of life (QoL) in the absence of raised disease activity remain major burdens. The adrenal hormone dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) has shown potential as a pharmacological agent for managing fatigue in mild SLE. We retrospectively evaluated data on dosage, disease activity, corticosteroid doses, concomitant antirheumatic drugs, and PROMs regarding pain intensity, fatigue, and well-being (visual analogue scales), QoL (EQ-5D-3L) and functional disability. A total of 15 patients with SLE were exposed to DHEA and 15 sex- and age-matched non-exposed SLE patients served as comparators. At baseline, 83% of the DHEA-exposed patients had subnormal DHEA concentration. The 15 subjects prescribed DHEA were exposed during a median time of 12 months (IQR 16.5) [range 3–81] and used a median daily dose of 50 mg of DHEA (IQR 25.0) [range 25–200]. Neither disease activity, nor damage accrual, changed significantly over time among patients using DHEA, and no severe adverse events were observed. Numerical improvements of all evaluated PROMs were seen in the DHEA-treated group, but none reached statistical significance. For DHEA-exposed patients, a non-significant trend was found regarding fatigue comparing baseline and 36 months (p = 0.068). In relation to SLE controls, the DHEA-exposed group initially reported significantly worse fatigue, pain, and well-being, but the differences diminished over time. In conclusion, DHEA was safe, but evidence for efficacy of DHEA supplementation in relation to PROMs were not found. Still, certain individuals with mild SLE, plagued by fatigue and absence of increased disease activity, appear to benefit from DHEA in terms of improved fatigue and QoL. Testing of DHEA concentration in blood should be performed before initiation, and investigation of other conditions, or reasons responsible for fatigue, must always be considered first.