[Cognitive dysfunction in patients with systemic lupus erythemathosus with or without antiphospholipid antibodies].

INTRODUCTION

Impairment of cognitive functions is one of the neuropsychiatric symptoms of systemic lupus erythemathosus (SLE), the association of which with secondary antiphospholipid syndrome is often mentioned in the literature on the subject. Ethiology has not yet been fully clarified.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The aim of the study was to compare the "mini-mental state examination" (MMSE) outcomes in SLE patients with and without antiphospholipid antibodies (APA).

RESULTS

Probands producing APA presented with significantly worse results in MMSE when compared to patients without these antibodies. There was no difference between patients with antisphospholipid syndrome and those with APA only.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

Our study supports the notion that association of SLE with APA (not only with antiphospholipid syndrome) aggravates the deterioration of cognitive functions. MMSE test should not be omitted in the follow-up of SLE patients.