Stimulus repetition rate effect on the auditory brainstem response in systemic lupus erythematosus

Neuropsychiatric involvement is common in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), but, in early half of cases, indications are not present on examination. Auditory brainstem response (ABR) measures using differential stimulus repetition rates have been reported as sensitive indicators of subclinical central nervous system (CNS) disorders associated with SLE. In the present study, ABRs were measured in a group of normal-hearing subjects with SLE, as well as in a group of subject controls. Differences in interpeak latency (IPL) measures obtained using low- and high-stimulus repetition rates did not reach statistical significance (P greater than .05). Clinical utility of ABRs using high- and low-stimulus repetition rates for the identification of occult CNS disorder in patients with SLE was not demonstrated.