Comparison of systemic lupus erythematosus patients and healthy individuals in terms of autobiographical memory, mood, and cognitive emotion regulation

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease of unknown cause. It affects different organs in the body. Neuropsychiatric manifestations are among the adverse effects of this disease. Considering the importance of neuropsychiatric manifestations, especially memory dysfunction and mood disorders, early neuropsychological evaluation and serious rehabilitation programs are needed. The present study aimed to compare SLE patients and healthy individuals in terms of autobiographical memory, mood, and cognitive emotion regulation. A sample of 30 SLE patients and 30 healthy individuals was selected by the convenience sampling method. The sample was evaluated by tests such as the Autobiographical Memory Test, the Beck Depression Inventory-second edition, and the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire. The data were analyzed by the univariate analysis of variance, multivariate analysis of variance, and the Mann-Whitney U tests. The results of the study revealed a significant difference (p < .01) between SLE patients and healthy individuals in terms of autobiographical memory functioning in retrieving past memories and delay in retrieving memories. A significant difference (p < .001) was also found between SLE patients and healthy individuals in terms of mood. However, no significant difference was observed in terms of cognitive emotion regulation. Based on the results of this study, SLE patients' memory, especially autobiographical memory, and their mood are adversely affected by the disease-related neurological damage.