Brain Fog – A Frequent, Worrying, and Undertreated Symptom of Lupus in Patient Experience
June 2025
in “
Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases
”
TLDR Brain fog in lupus is common, worrying, and often not treated properly.
A study by Lupus Europe involving 3,848 European SLE patients found that brain fog or confusion is a common symptom, experienced by 41.7% of participants. Despite being the 11th most frequent symptom, it is the 5th most worrying and the 4th least addressed in treatment plans. The symptom's incidence is notably higher among those with flu-like symptoms, chest pain, or depression/anxiety, and varies by region, being less reported in Ex-Eastern European countries. The study highlights the need for better management of brain fog in lupus treatment to improve patient care.
