Association between academic performance and cognitive dysfunction in patients with juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether there is an association between the profile of cognitive dysfunction and academic outcomes in patients with juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus (JSLE).

METHODS: Patients aged ≤18 years at the onset of the disease and education level at or above the fifth grade of elementary school were selected. Cognitive evaluation was performed according to the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) recommendations. Symptoms of anxiety and depression were assessed by Beck scales; disease activity was assessed by Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI); and cumulative damage was assessed by Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics (SLICC). The presence of autoantibodies and medication use were also assessed. A significance level of 5% (p <0.05) was adopted.

RESULTS: 41 patients with a mean age of 14.5±2.84 years were included. Cognitive dysfunction was noted in 17 (41.46%) patients. There was a significant worsening in mathematical performance in patients with cognitive dysfunction (p=0.039). Anxiety symptoms were observed in 8 patients (19.51%) and were associated with visual perception (p=0.037) and symptoms of depression were observed in 1 patient (2.43%).

CONCLUSION: Patients with JSLE concomitantly with cognitive dysfunction showed worse academic performance in mathematics compared to patients without cognitive impairment.