A PROSPECTIVE-STUDY OF PSYCHIATRIC-DISORDER AND COGNITIVE FUNCTION INSYSTEMIC LUPUS-ERYTHEMATOSUS

Objectives-To investigate change in psychiatric disorder and change in cognitive function in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE ) assessed on two occasions two years apart. Methods-A prospective coh ort study of 49 patients with SLE using standardised and clinical rese arch methods. Results-The point prevalence of psychiatric disorder (20 % and 24%), and of cognitive impairment (23% and 18%), was similar at first and second interview for the whole group. There was, however, co nsiderable change in individual patient's psychiatric status and cogni tive function: only 1/9 patients with impairment on two or more cognit ive tests at first interview was still impaired at second interview. C hange in cognitive function appeared to mirror change in psychiatric s tatus. Conclusions-These findings suggest that the previously reported high prevalence of cognitive impairment in SLE may be explained by co existing psychiatric disorder, rather than reflecting subclinical cent ral nervous system (CNS) involvement.