Psychiatric comorbidities in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: a systematic review of the last 10 years

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the frequency of psychiatric comorbidities in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) using the systematic review method.

Methods: A systematic literature search was performed between April and July 2011 in the following databases: BIREME, PubMed and CAPES thesis database. This search prioritized studies published over the last ten years (2001-2011), involving the presence of psychiatric comorbidities in patients with SLE.

Results: Out of 314 articles published in scientific journals (PubMed) and 29 (BIREME), previously identified ones, 13 articles on psychiatric disorders and SLE were selected so they could be submitted to the systematic review methodological approach. The articles indicated high frequency of psychiatric comorbidities, especially mood and anxiety disorders. There is no consensus between the disease activity and psychiatric disorders. Patients with active SLE showed a higher risk of developing mood disorders than patients with inactive SLE.

Conclusion: Patients with SLE had a higher suicide risk than the general population. More thorough studies to evaluate the psychological and genetic role, specific and non-specific autoimmune inflammatory mechanisms in mood and anxiety disorders are needed.