Cognitive Dysfunction in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Case Control Study
Author(s): Muhammad Amjad Kalhoro*, Mehwish Abrar, Shahtaj Adil Shah, Safia Bano, Nisar Ahmed Khokhar and Mahesh Kumar
Abstract
Aim: To explore the incidence of cognitive impairment in individual having Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. Study Design: Case control study. Place and duration: Bilawal Medical College Jamshoro Pakistan, from rom September 2019 to September 2020. Methodology: Total 31 female patients with neuropsychiatric Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (nSLE) and thirty-one cognitively healthy women with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (Control group) participated in the study. The researchers employed single-photon emission computed tomography to obtain information on sociodemographic, clinical, neuropsychological, & SLE-related markers. Results: When it came to cognitive complaints, 22.6 percent of those with nSLE reported them, compared to 6.5 percent in the control group (p=0.147); the frequency of cognitive dysfunction was 32.3 percent in those with nSLE, compared to 6.5 percent in the control group (p=0.01). Overall, the nSLE group seemed to be impaired in all cognitive domains at the same level, and there were correlations between cognitive dysfunction and less skilled occupation (r=0.41; p=0.02). Conclusion: In nSLE, cognitive impairment is rather common, and it seems to have a detrimental impact on social functioning. A number of interconnected elements (such as SLE-related factors, drugs, and psychosocial factors) seem to have a role in cognitive impairment and cognitive complaints in nSLE patients.