Memory and learning functions in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: A neuropsychological case-control study

BackgroundThe pathophysiology and diagnosis of Neuropsychiatric Systemic lupus erythematosus (NPSLE) are diverse and complicated. Cognitive dysfunction has an important impact on patients’ quality of life.Aim of the workTo compare the memory process and components between SLE patients and the normal subjects.Patients and methodsThis cross-sectional case control study included 40 SLE patients and 40 age and sex matched controls. Patients were recruited from Hafez Hospital Lupus clinic, Shiraz, Iran. Early dementia, psychosis and other major psychiatric disorders were ruled out. The patients’ memory was evaluated by California Verbal Learning Test (CVLT) and verbal and visual paired of Wechsler Memory test-Revised (WMS-R).ResultsThe age of the patients was 33.3 ± 9.7 years. Memory components (visual and verbal memory) (p = 0.001 and p = 0.05) and memory processes were significantly impaired in SLE patients compared to the control (Immediate memory p = 0.001, short delay free recall p = 0.003, cued recall p = 0.001, long delay free recall p = 0.001, cued recall p = 0.02 and recognition correct p = 0.012). Patients with SLE showed poor memory function but the learning slope in the two groups was comparable (p = 0.45). The CVLT evaluated classification of memory processes (70.5%) better than memory component (67.5%).ConclusionAlthough patients with SLE had normal learning slope, their function in memory, components and processes were impaired compared to the normal ones. These findings suggest that cognitive rehabilitation is considered as a supportive therapy for the neuropsychiatric deficits in SLE patients to have a better quality of life and to stop the influence of memory impairment on daily activities.