Cognitive impairment in individuals with rheumatic diseases: the role of systemic inflammation, immunomodulatory medications, and comorbidities

Abstract

Inflammation is an important risk factor, a potential therapeutic target for cognitive decline and dementia, and an inherent feature of autoimmune and immune-mediated rheumatic diseases. The risk of cognitive impairment and dementia is increased in individuals with immune-mediated rheumatic diseases, particularly in those with cardiovascular risk factors and cardiovascular disease. Immunomodulatory medications have been associated with a reduced risk of dementia, but whether this effect is mediated through their anti-inflammatory immunomodulating properties or other mechanisms, such as cardiovascular risk reduction, is unclear. A better understanding of the role of chronic inflammation as a modifiable risk factor for cognitive performance in rheumatic diseases will help inform opportunities for the management of cognitive impairment in people with rheumatic diseases and other chronic inflammatory diseases. In this Series paper, we discuss the epidemiology, risk factors, and current evidence on the role of immunomodulatory medications in cognitive impairment and dementia in people with rheumatic diseases.