STIMULUS REPETITION RATE EFFECT ON THE AUDITORY BRAIN-STEM RESPONSE IN SYSTEMIC LUPUS-ERYTHEMATOSUS

Neuropsychiatric involvement is common in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), but, in nearly half of cases, indications are not present on e xamination. Auditory brainstem response (ABR) measures using different ial stimulus repetition rates have been reported as sensitive indicato rs of subclinical central nervous system (CNS) disorders associated wi th SLE. In the present study, ABRs were measured in a group of normal- hearing subjects with SLE, as well as in a group of subject controls. Differences in interpeak latency (IPL) measures obtained using low- an d high-stimulus repetition rates did not reach statistical significanc e (P > .05). Clinical utility of ABRs using high- and low-stimulus rep etition rates for the identification of occult CNS disorder in patient s with SLE was not demonstrated.