Reducing cardiovascular risk in women with lupus: perception of risk and predictors of risk-reducing behaviors.

BACKGROUND: Women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) display a 7- to 10-fold increased risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) compared with non-SLE controls, yet many are unaware of this risk despite years spent in the healthcare system. It is not clear why they lack awareness of increased CVD risk or which factors influence awareness. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess in women with SLE their perceived CVD risk, the association between clinically identified and perceived CVD risk factors, and factors that influenced CVD risk awareness and adoption of risk-reducing behaviors. METHODS: Questionnaires, face-to-face meetings, and clinical assessments were used to collect data on demographics, perceived CVD risk, perceived CVD risk factors, actual CVD risk factors, risk-reducing behaviors, and healthcare provider counseling from 60 women with SLE. Regression analyses identified factors that influenced risk awareness and adoption of risk-reducing behaviors. RESULTS: Two-thirds of the participants perceived themselves at increased CVD risk when compared with women without SLE, but the same number did not perceive an increase in their absolute CVD risk. Age was a significant predictor (P = .05) for awareness of increased absolute risk; younger age correlated with increased awareness. Most women received information about heart disease from public media. On average, participants had 4 CVD risk factors but perceived that they had only 2. Age (P = .001) and the number of perceived risk factors (P = .004) predicted adoption of risk-reducing behaviors (P = .03). CONCLUSION: Participants underestimated their CVD risk factors and did not personalize their increased CVD risk. Healthcare providers' identification and discussion of CVD risk factors in women with SLE may enhance their CVD risk awareness and the adoption of risk-reducing behaviors.

The face of lupus.

Systemic lupus erythematosus--a chronic, complex autoimmune disease without a definitive diagnostic test--often requires burdensome procedures to confirm diagnosis. Nurse practitioners must understand lupus' clinical and serologic manifestations to make a diagnosis; some cases may not be identified using only the American College of Rheumatology's criteria.

Beyond Google Docs.

With this article, Dr. Diane Wink's long-running authorship of this department comes to an end. Diane made a significant contribution to the journal; her articles were always interesting and informative, helping to advance our thinking. Thank you, Diane! Your department articles will be missed. Suzanne P. Smith, EdD, RN, FAAN, Editor-in-Chief. Many course management systems lack the social atmosphere and interactivity of face-to-face classrooms that are essential for developing communication and collaborative skills in nursing students. Creating a sense of community online not only facilitates collaboration but also increases student satisfaction and perceived learning. In this article, the authors describe free Google tools that faculty can use to foster communication and collaboration among students in online, blended, and face-to-face learning environments.