Exploring Factors Associated With Cognitive Impairment in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors' conclusion
Cognitive impairment was prevalent in our cohort of veterans with RA and was associated with several modifiable clinical factors.
Study context
- Population
- Veterans with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in a longitudinal cohort at Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System (mean age 64.5 years; 74% male)
- Participants
- 145 veterans
- Outcome
- Cognitive impairment (SLUMS examination score) and its association with clinical factors
Methodological detailslongitudinal RA cohort, univariable and multivariable linear regression adjusted for age, sex and years of education
- Longitudinal RA cohort
- Univariable and multivariable linear regression adjusted for age, sex and years of education
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Cognition by SLUMS
Normal cognition
42
29%
Mild cognitive impairment
83
57%
Dementia
20
14%
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Factors independently associated with lower Saint Louis University Mental Status (SLUMS) score (adjusted β)
- Physical performance, aβ
- 0.35 (CI 0.11 to 0.59)
- Self-reported exhaustion, aβ
- −2.22 (CI −3.44 to −0.99)
- Pain, aβ
- −0.25 (CI −0.50 to −0.00)
- Disability, aβ
- −1.79 (CI −3.16 to −0.42)
- Trouble falling asleep, aβ
- −2.57 (CI −4.00 to −1.14)
- All P < 0.05
- Adjusted for age, sex, and years of education
Original publication
Exploring Factors Associated With Cognitive Impairment in Rheumatoid Arthritis. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). Published 4 February 2026. doi:10.
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