PSYCHOLOGICAL-ASPECTS OF SYSTEMIC LUPUS-ERYTHEMATOSUS - COGNITIVE FUNCTION, MOOD, AND SELF-REPORT

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic relapsing/remitting au toimmune disorder with both primary and secondary effects an nervous s ystem integrity and psychological functioning. In addition to the occu rrence of clinical psychiatric syndromes such as psychosis, depression , and anxiety, other psychological problems documented with increased frequency in SLE Include cognitive deficits and emotional distress. We examine issues related to cognitive function, including its assessmen t and prevalence, and confounding Factors in interpreting cognitive pr oblems as reflecting primary central nervous system involvement in SLE . Cognitive data in relation to other facets of the disease such as pa in and fatigue, and subjective cognitive complaints are also discussed , Finally, we propose a potential role for cognitive assessment in the identification of SLE related depression.