Evaluation of brain changes in systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients using two different techniques of MRI: Is it really worthy?

Objectives This study used a qualitative approach to explore how people with systemic sclerosis (SSc) experience cognitive changes and how cognitive difficulties impact their functioning. Methods Four 90-min focus groups of adults with SSc and self-reported changes in cognition were recruited from a SSc research registry and targeted social media. A focus group guide elicited information from participants via open-ended questions. Content analysis was conducted using grounded theory methodology. Results Twenty participants (mean age = 55.5 ± 11.4 years) consisted of 16 (80%) females, 14 (70%) Caucasians, and 11 (55%) people with diffuse cutaneous SSc. Study themes included cognitive difficulties as part of daily life experience, impact of cognitive difficulties on daily life functioning, coping strategies, and information seeking. Participants used different terms to describe their experience of cognitive difficulties, and most encountered deficits in short-term memory, language difficulties, decreased executive function, difficulties with concentration and focus, and slow processing speed. Participants expressed frustration with their cognitive difficulties and used coping strategies to lessen their impact. Participants were uncertain about the causes and wanted to understand factors contributing to cognitive difficulties as well as how to manage it. Conclusion Participants with SSc reported cognitive difficulties that had a substantial negative impact on their lives. Improved understanding of cognitive changes could subsequently facilitate development of relevant therapeutic interventions or educational programs for symptom self-management to reduce impact of cognitive difficulties in people with SSc.

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Cognitive difficulties in people with systemic sclerosis: a qualitative study

Chen

Lescoat

Devine

et al. 2022

Rheumatology

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Evaluation of brain changes in systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients using two different techniques of MRI: Is it really worthy?

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Cognitive difficulties in people with systemic sclerosis: a qualitative study

Cognitive difficulties in people with systemic sclerosis: a qualitative study

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