Paran D et al. - Learning ability was impaired in SLE patients with a poor and inefficient learning strategy as reflected by an impaired learning curve, repeated omissions and impaired retrieval. This pattern of memory deficit resembles that seen in patients with frontal lobe damage and warrants further localizing brain studies. Methods
Study to assess and characterize verbal memory impairment in SLE pts by the Rey-Auditory Verbal Learning Test (Rey-AVLT)
40 consecutive, unselected SLE pts were evaluated with the Rey-AVLT, to study multiple learning and memory measures
All pts were assessed for disease activity, damage, presence of antiphospholipid antibodies and depression
Findings were compared to 40 healthy controls matched for age, sex and education
Results
The study group included 40 SLE pts (F/M- 37/3), median age 33 yrs (range 20-59), median disease duration 8 yrs (range 0.3-32)
Median disease activity measured by SLEDAI was 4
Median damage measured by SLICC /ACR damage index score was 0
Depression was detected in 16/40 pts
Several aspects of the memory domain, as measured by the Rey-AVLT were impaired in the SLE group
The learning curve of SLE pts was less steep vs controls
Rate of words omitted from trial to trial was higher in the SLE group and retrieval was less efficient in SLE vs controls
The significance of these findings was maintained after omitting pts with stroke or depression
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