Submitted by sjc313 on Thu, 02/04/2026 - 10:01
New research shows that the memory and cognitive problems often experienced by people with systemic rheumatic diseases do not get worse over time as many patients fear.
This research was led by Dr Melanie Sloan from the University of Cambridge, Primary Care Unit and the School of Medicine at the University of East Anglia and with collaborators from the INSPIRE international research team of clinicians, patients and academics.
Over the two-year study, patients’ memory scores and adapting to living with a disease scores improved, with depression and anxiety scores remaining unchanged. The researchers concluded that these patients need more medical and psychosocial support for these mental health symptoms.
The longitudinal study followed over 700 people over two years with systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases, including lupus, vasculitis and rheumatoid arthritis. The team measured, through validated survey instruments, changes over time in anxiety, depression, memory and adapting to living with these diseases.
Access the full study here