Table 3

Multivariate analysis of clinical associations of cognitive dysfunction in SLE

Cognitive dysfunction (all thresholds pooled)†Severe cognitive dysfunction‡Individual cognitive domains (tests)§
Visual
memory		Verbal
memory		Verbal fluencyWorking memoryProcessing speedComplex attentionPsychomotor speed
OR (CIs) using logistic regressionCoefficient (CIs) using linear regression
Age (years)1.06*
(1.01, 1.11)		1.05
(0.99, 1.12)		−0.03*
(−0.05 to –0.01)		−0.01
(−0.03 to –0.00)		−0.01
(−0.03, 0.00)		−0.02*
(−0.04 to –0.00)		−0.03**
(−0.05 to –0.01)
Premorbid IQ (points)0.87**
(0.79, 0.94)		0.81**
(0.70, 0.94)		0.06**
(0.22, 0.09)		0.05**
(0.02, 0.07)		0.07**
(0.05, 0.10)		0.04**
(0.02, 0.06)		0.02*
(0.00, 0.05)		0.06**
(−0.02 to –0.09)		0.01
(−0.01, 0.04)
SDI at assessment1.26
(0.87, 1.82)		1.49*
(1.01, 2.22)		−0.25**
(−0.41 to –0.09)		−0.07
(−0.17, 0.03)		−0.15**
(−0.25 to –0.06)		−0.18*
(−0.32 to –0.03)
SLEDAI-2K at assessment0.89
(0.75, 1.07)
Time-adjusted mean SLEDAI0.13**
(0.05, 0.21)		0.024
(−0.09, 0.08)
Prednisolone0.17
(−0.16, 0.50)
Azathioprine0.18
(−0.26, 0.62)		0.64
(0.00, 1.27)
Methotrexate−0.31
(−0.76, 0.15)
Leflunomide−1.20
(−2.86, 0.46)
Anti-dsDNA0.14*
(0.02, 0.92)
Anti-Ro0.53
(0.12, 2.46)
Complement0.49
(0.08, 3.03)		0.11
(−0.45, 0.69)		0.62
(−0.01, 1.25)
Substance use1.04
(0.52, 17.92)		−0.38
(−0.83, 0.07)		−0.64*
(−0.01, 1.25)

  • Significant results bolded.

  • *p<0.05, **p<0.005.

  • †Cognitive dysfunction defined by comparing to HC group data and meeting any of the three definition thresholds used.

  • ‡Severe cognitive dysfunction defined by meeting the most severe definition threshold used (at least two cognitive domains each ≥2 SD below the HC group mean).

  • §Specific cognitive tests used for each domain are as follows: visual memory—Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure Test Recall Score; verbal memory—California Verbal Learning Test trials 1–5; verbal fluency—Controlled Oral Word Association Test FAS Sum; working memory—Letter Number Sequencing score; processing speed—Coding score; complex attention—Trail making test B time in seconds (longer indicates worse performance); psychomotor speed—finger tap test dominant hand score.

  • dsDNA, anti-double stranded DNA antibodies; HC, healthy control; SDI, Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/American College of Rheumatology Damage Index; SLEDAI-2K, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index 2000.