Cognitive Impairment in Rheumatoid Arthritis: The Role of Pain, Inflammation, and Multimorbidity in Neuropsychological Outcomes

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease that may affect the central nervous system, leading to cognitive impairment associated with chronic inflammation and pain. <b>Objective</b>: To assess the relationship between cognitive function, disease progression, pain intensit...

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Main Authors: Agnieszka Pigłowska-Juhnke, Maia Stanisławska-Kubiak, Piotr Kalmus, Marzena Waszczak-Jeka, Włodzimierz Samborski, Ewa Mojs
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-07-01
Series:Biomedicines
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9059/13/7/1699
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author Agnieszka Pigłowska-Juhnke
Maia Stanisławska-Kubiak
Piotr Kalmus
Marzena Waszczak-Jeka
Włodzimierz Samborski
Ewa Mojs
author_facet Agnieszka Pigłowska-Juhnke
Maia Stanisławska-Kubiak
Piotr Kalmus
Marzena Waszczak-Jeka
Włodzimierz Samborski
Ewa Mojs
author_sort Agnieszka Pigłowska-Juhnke
collection DOAJ
description Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease that may affect the central nervous system, leading to cognitive impairment associated with chronic inflammation and pain. <b>Objective</b>: To assess the relationship between cognitive function, disease progression, pain intensity, and clinical parameters in patients with RA. <b>Materials and Methods</b>: This study included 62 RA patients, including individuals with comorbid conditions. Cognitive performance was assessed using the Automated Neuropsychological Assessment Metrics (ANAM) battery. Associations between cognitive function and pain intensity (VAS), inflammatory markers (ESR), number of disease flares, and surgical interventions were analyzed. <b>Results</b>: Patients with isolated RA demonstrated better performance in visuospatial memory and cognitive flexibility compared to those with comorbidities. Increased pain intensity and the number of disease flares were associated with impaired attention, memory, and psychomotor speed. <b>Conclusions</b>: Chronic pain and high disease activity in RA negatively impact cognitive functions. Routine neuropsychological assessment should be considered in the comprehensive clinical management of RA patients.
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spelling doaj-art-c38ea44298714da59450be04b8b041d92025-08-20T03:04:42ZengMDPI AGBiomedicines2227-90592025-07-01137169910.3390/biomedicines13071699Cognitive Impairment in Rheumatoid Arthritis: The Role of Pain, Inflammation, and Multimorbidity in Neuropsychological OutcomesAgnieszka Pigłowska-Juhnke0Maia Stanisławska-Kubiak1Piotr Kalmus2Marzena Waszczak-Jeka3Włodzimierz Samborski4Ewa Mojs5Department of Clinical Psychology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-812 Poznań, PolandDepartment of Clinical Psychology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-812 Poznań, PolandInstitute of Health, WSG University, 85-229 Bydgoszcz, PolandDepartment of Clinical Psychology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-812 Poznań, PolandDepartment of Rheumatology, Rehabilitation and Internal Medicine, Poznań University of Medical Sciences, 61-545 Poznań, PolandDepartment of Clinical Psychology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-812 Poznań, PolandRheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease that may affect the central nervous system, leading to cognitive impairment associated with chronic inflammation and pain. <b>Objective</b>: To assess the relationship between cognitive function, disease progression, pain intensity, and clinical parameters in patients with RA. <b>Materials and Methods</b>: This study included 62 RA patients, including individuals with comorbid conditions. Cognitive performance was assessed using the Automated Neuropsychological Assessment Metrics (ANAM) battery. Associations between cognitive function and pain intensity (VAS), inflammatory markers (ESR), number of disease flares, and surgical interventions were analyzed. <b>Results</b>: Patients with isolated RA demonstrated better performance in visuospatial memory and cognitive flexibility compared to those with comorbidities. Increased pain intensity and the number of disease flares were associated with impaired attention, memory, and psychomotor speed. <b>Conclusions</b>: Chronic pain and high disease activity in RA negatively impact cognitive functions. Routine neuropsychological assessment should be considered in the comprehensive clinical management of RA patients.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9059/13/7/1699rheumatoid arthritis (RA)chronic painneuropsychological assessmentcognitive impairmentchronic inflammation
spellingShingle Agnieszka Pigłowska-Juhnke
Maia Stanisławska-Kubiak
Piotr Kalmus
Marzena Waszczak-Jeka
Włodzimierz Samborski
Ewa Mojs
Cognitive Impairment in Rheumatoid Arthritis: The Role of Pain, Inflammation, and Multimorbidity in Neuropsychological Outcomes
Biomedicines
rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
chronic pain
neuropsychological assessment
cognitive impairment
chronic inflammation
title Cognitive Impairment in Rheumatoid Arthritis: The Role of Pain, Inflammation, and Multimorbidity in Neuropsychological Outcomes
title_full Cognitive Impairment in Rheumatoid Arthritis: The Role of Pain, Inflammation, and Multimorbidity in Neuropsychological Outcomes
title_fullStr Cognitive Impairment in Rheumatoid Arthritis: The Role of Pain, Inflammation, and Multimorbidity in Neuropsychological Outcomes
title_full_unstemmed Cognitive Impairment in Rheumatoid Arthritis: The Role of Pain, Inflammation, and Multimorbidity in Neuropsychological Outcomes
title_short Cognitive Impairment in Rheumatoid Arthritis: The Role of Pain, Inflammation, and Multimorbidity in Neuropsychological Outcomes
title_sort cognitive impairment in rheumatoid arthritis the role of pain inflammation and multimorbidity in neuropsychological outcomes
topic rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
chronic pain
neuropsychological assessment
cognitive impairment
chronic inflammation
url https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9059/13/7/1699
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