Cognitive impairment in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: A systematic review and meta-analysis - 08/05/22
Highlights |
• | Cognitive impairment is commonly reported in patients with RA. |
• | Data on the severity of cognitive impairment in patients with RA are imprecise due to the wide variety of assessment methods used. |
• | This article thoroughly analyses a number of studies on this subject, describes the limitations of the tools used to assess cognitive functioning and identifies possible further directions for research. |
• | The following were identified as potential factors hampering conclusions about the severity of cognitive impairment in RA: no replication of studies, few potential moderators, and lack of longitudinal studies. |
• | This article also emphasizes the potential difficulties resulting from cognitive impairment and indicates the possibilities of treatments. |
Abstract |
Objective |
An increasing number of studies have demonstrated cognitive impairment in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The literature indicates many factors play an important role in this clinical problem, such as the severity of depressive symptoms and the treatment used. The aim of this study was to systematically review studies comparing cognitive functioning between healthy participants and RA patients and to determine both the severity and potential moderators of cognitive impairment.
Methods |
For this purpose, 16 studies that fulfilled all selection criteria were carefully selected. Altogether, 921 patients with RA (812 women and 109 men) and 700 controls participated in these studies. Due to the inability to perform a network meta-analysis, it was decided to determine the effect sizes for studies which used the same measurement methods.
Results |
The analysis demonstrated greater impairment of cognitive functioning in patients with RA than in healthy controls, with effect sizes ranging from small to large, depending on the assessment method used in the study.
Conclusions |
The study pinpoints potential biases, lack of replication, and inconsistencies in reporting data as possible confounding factors and suggests further recommendations for assessment methods, research directions and clinical implications.
Clinical trial registration |
Not applicable.
Le texte complet de cet article est disponible en PDF.Keywords : Arthritis, Rheumatoid, Autoimmune diseases, Psychology
Plan
Vol 89 - N° 3
Article 105298- mai 2022 Retour au numéroBienvenue sur EM-consulte, la référence des professionnels de santé.
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