Association Between Neuropsychiatric Event and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Clinical Manifestation: A Meta-Analysis

To uncover the clinical characteristics and investigate the underlying causes of psychiatric manifestations in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), including its subset, neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus (NPSLE). Through comprehensive database searches in PubMed, Embase, Medline, and Cochrane, from their inception to August 2023, the study focused on adult SLE and NPSLE cases. From the selected studies, data were synthesised via a random-effects meta-analysis, encompassing a total of 2,997 subjects across six studies. The findings highlighted differences in medical indicators such as discoid rash, hypertension, mean disease duration, and various autoantibodies between SLE and NPSLE patients, indicating a nuanced approach to treatment is necessary, particularly with NPSLE requiring extended treatment periods. The analysis suggests that the causality behind these manifestations is multifactorial, encompassing mental state, autoantibody profiles, and environmental factors, thus providing valuable insights into the clinical management and understanding of SLE and NPSLE. This study emphasises the complexity of SLE, particularly in its neuropsychiatric manifestations, and underscores the importance of targeted treatment strategies. Key Words: Systemic lupus erythematosus, Neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus, Neuropsychiatric event, Meta-analysis.