Life stress and coping styles related to cognition in systemic lupus erythematosus

Abstract

AbstractWe compared the frequency of life stress and coping styles using self‐report measures in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and healthy controls. We also explored the relationship between cognition, life stress and coping. Thirty‐one SLE patients with overt neuropsychiatric (NPSLE) symptoms, 22 SLE patients without overt neuropsychiatric (non‐NPSLE) symptoms and 25 healthy controls completed measures of cognition, life events and coping skills. SLE patients (NP and non‐NP) showed greater use of negative, disengaging coping scales (p = 0.002) and more negative life stress events over the past 6 months (p = 0.018) and past 6–12 months (p = 0.004) compared with controls. NPSLE and non‐NPSLE subjects were higher on a cognitive impairment index (CII) than controls (p < 0.001). Only the NPSLE subjects had significant correlations between CII and negative life events 0–6 months (p < 0.001), negative life events 0–12 months (p < 0.001) and negative coping styles (p = 0.007). SLE patients demonstrated greater negative life events over the past 12 months and tend to utilise greater negative disengaging coping skills. NPSLE patients demonstrate a potential relationship between negative life events, negative coping and cognitive dysfunction. The associations between cognitive changes and life stress and coping suggest the need for integrated behavioural strategies for treatment. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.