IQANIntervention to Improve Quality of Life for African-AmericaN Lupus Patients (IQAN)

The intervention will be coordinated by an Intervention Coordinator, with assistance from local/MUSC Study Coordinators. A unique 'a-la-carte' self-management program will be offered to 50 African-American lupus patients participating in an ongoing SLE Clinic Database Project at MUSC. The Intervention Coordinator will work with each participant in the intervention arm to create an individualized intervention plan (IIP). Each IIP will include 1-4 options, including a mail-delivered arthritis kit, addition and access to a listserv, participation in a support group, and enrollment in local self-management program(s). Due to the nature of the IIP, the proposed intervention will inherently vary by participant. A 'set menu' control group of 50 lupus patients will be offered a standardized chronic disease self-management program only, and a control group of 50 lupus patients will receive usual care (UC), void of intervention components. Validated measures of stress, depression, and quality of life will be collected in all patients in each condition before and after intervention activities. To ensure intervention integrity, discrete components will follow written protocols and peer leaders will complete a standardized checklist for each session/encounter.