# Burden, correlates, and outcomes of poor cognitive and physical functioning in the lupus population

> **NIH NIH R01** · EMORY UNIVERSITY · 2021 · $317,678

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
The increasing pool of older individuals in the U.S. population who can develop late-onset systemic lupus
erythematosus (SLE) and longer life expectancy for younger SLE patients will likely result in a dramatic
increase in the numbers of older SLE patients over the next 20 years. The complex interactions of altered
immunity, stress, and morbidity from long-standing chronic disease potentially put all SLE patients—regardless
of age—at risk for functional impairments, which are generally associated with the aged population. But there
is some evidence that even relatively young SLE patients have reported perceived physical and cognitive
functional impairment. In a recently completed pilot study (n=60) ancillary to the ongoing Georgians Organized
Against Lupus (GOAL) cohort, we performed detailed, in-person assessments of physical and cognitive
functioning. We found that levels of physical and cognitive performance, self-reported physical functioning,
independence in activities of daily living, falls, and community mobility were similar to, or worse than, those
seen in older non-SLE populations. These results suggest that a novel, geriatric approach to care may be
beneficial in SLE. To begin to address this goal, we first need to better characterize the burden of impairment
of physical and cognitive functioning in a real-world SLE population, in order to determine what resources may
be needed to support SLE patients’ functioning as they age, and for which patients these resources are most
needed. Furthermore, understanding the relative contributions of age, disease activity, cumulative organ
damage, inflammation, and other patient characteristics to impairment in the setting of SLE will help to identify
patients most likely to be impaired and target population-level interventions to reduce risk associated with poor
functioning. Finally, understanding how impairment affects health outcomes in this population will assist with
risk stratification and prevention of costly care, by providing information on the most predictive functioning
measures among patients with SLE. GOAL, with its rich, existing longitudinal data and ongoing, population-
based, diverse cohort of SLE patients, provides a unique opportunity to address these gaps. Our study aims to:
(i) assess the burden and patterns of physical and cognitive dysfunction across age groups in a cohort of 450
SLE patients; (ii) identify patient risk factors for impairment in physical and cognitive functioning; and (iii)
estimate associations of functioning measures with outcomes utilizing secondary and linked data. We will
estimate the prevalence of dysfunction on multiple physical and cognitive functioning domains among GOAL
patients, overall and by age, using validated instruments. We will then estimate associations of functioning with
sociodemographic and clinical characteristics and measured inflammatory markers, overall and by age group.
Finally, GOAL data and its linkage of administr...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10077527
- **Project number:** 5R01AG061179-03
- **Recipient organization:** EMORY UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Laura Plantinga
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $317,678
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-02-15 → 2023-11-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10077527

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10077527, Burden, correlates, and outcomes of poor cognitive and physical functioning in the lupus population (5R01AG061179-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10077527. Licensed CC0.

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