Academic outcomes in childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus.
OBJECTIVE
To explore academic outcomes in childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (cSLE) and their relationship to variables such as demographic and socioeconomic status, neurocognitive functioning, behavioral/emotional adjustment, and cSLE disease status.


METHODS
Forty pairs of children diagnosed with cSLE and healthy best friend controls were rated by parents on a standardized scale of school competence. Information about participants' demographic and socioeconomic status was obtained, along with measures of cSLE disease activity and damage. All of the participants received formal neurocognitive testing and were also rated on standardized scales of behavioral/emotional adjustment and executive functioning.


RESULTS
Compared to healthy controls, school competence was rated as lower in the cSLE group, although the groups did not differ significantly on indices of cognitive, behavioral, emotional, or executive functioning. School competence ratings were correlated with reading and mathematics achievement test scores in both groups, and with ratings of mental self-regulation in the cSLE group. School competence ratings were correlated with measures of cSLE disease activity and treatment intensity.


CONCLUSIONS
cSLE is associated with inferior parent-rated academic outcomes compared to those noted in demographically-matched peers, despite similar neurocognitive function. The adverse academic outcomes that distinguish children with cSLE from their demographically-matched peers appear to be mediated by SLE disease activity and treatment.
Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA. fzelko@childrensmemorial.org
Frank
F
Zelko
Dean
D
Beebe
Aimee
A
Baker
Shannen M
SM
Nelson
Aisha
A
Ali
Adlin
A
Cedeno
Blair
B
Dina
Marisa S
MS
Klein-Gitelman
Jun
J
Ying
Hermine I
HI
Brunner
D000293:Adolescent; D017668:Age of Onset; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004521:Educational Measurement / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D012574:Schools / Q000592:standards