Neurological complications in systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract

Rheumatic diseases are characterised by damage to connective tissue, which is most frequently autoimmune in nature. The inflammation resulting from auto-aggression involves various organs and the heterogenous clinical symptoms depend on the intensity of the inflammatory process inside them. Among the most widespread diseases belonging to this group, there is, among others, systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic vasculitis and Sjögren syndrome. They may cause symptoms resulting from damage to the locomotor system, internal organs, haematological, cardiovascular, or respiratory system. Frequently, in the course of connective tissue diseases, both the central and peripheral nervous system involvement takes place. The pathomechanism of damage to the nervous system in the course of systemic connective tissue diseases is not entirely known and usually depends on the particular autoimmune disease. The disfunction of the peripheral nervous system may precede the appearance of other symptoms, more characteristic for the particular systemic disease. The patients frequently are first referred to a neurologist and if the doctor does not consider a connective tissue disease in differential diagnosis, it prolongs their journey towards the correct diagnosis and treatment. In the article, the authors try to view selected connective tissue diseases from the perspective of a neurologist. The most common neurological disease entities, such as a stroke, polyneuropathies, epilepsy and demyelinating disorders of the central nervous system, are presented as neurological complications of systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis.

Keywords

• systemic lupus erythematosus
• rheumatoid arthritis
• central nervous system
• peripheral nervous system