Risk factors of cognitive function impairment in patients with systemic sclerosis

Area of Science:

• Rheumatology and Neurology
• Systemic Sclerosis Research
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a condition marked by widespread vasculopathy and fibrosis.
• Cognitive impairment, affecting attention, memory, and complex task performance, can occur in SSc patients.
• Previous research noted brain microvascular changes, but a comprehensive investigation into SSc-related cognitive symptoms was lacking.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between cognitive functions and detailed clinical parameters in patients with Systemic Sclerosis.
• To identify specific factors influencing cognitive performance in SSc.

Main Methods:

• A study involving 160 SSc patients and 62 healthy controls, followed for 12 months.
• Neuropsychological tests including MMSE, Digit Span, Trail Making A/B, and Digit Symbol were administered at baseline and follow-up.
• Clinical data, including demographics and disease severity, were analyzed.

Main Results:

• Cognitive impairment was not evident in early-stage or severe diffuse cutaneous SSc.
• Cognitive scores were independently associated with age, education, pain, employment, hypertension, hemoglobin, cardiac function, and muscle strength.
• Changes in the six-minute walk distance (6MWT) correlated with changes in MMSE scores over one year.

Conclusions:

• Beyond general cognitive factors (age, education, employment, hypertension, pain), SSc cognitive function is influenced by cardiovascular function (diastolic dysfunction), hemoglobin levels, and reduced muscle strength.
• Cardiovascular status and muscle condition in SSc can be effectively assessed using the 6MWT.