Can neuropsychiatric symptoms signal the onset of autoimmune diseases?

In one of our previous newsletters, we discussed the psychological and neurological impacts of autoimmune diseases, in that some patients with autoimmune conditions like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis may experience neurological conditions that tend to be overlooked. In a recent study, researchers from the University of Cambridge, UC Davis, and other institutions explored how neuropsychiatric symptoms—such as nightmares and hallucinations—could indicate the onset of autoimmune diseases.

The study involved surveys and interviews with lupus patients and clinicians, revealing that disrupted dream sleep and hallucinations often precede lupus onset or flares. These vivid and distressing nightmares, reported by three in five patients, sometimes appeared over a year before lupus onset. The term "daymares" helped patients feel more comfortable discussing hallucinations, which many were initially reluctant to share.

A King's College London professor and primary author of this study, David D’Cruz, noted that recognizing nightmares as linked to disease activity can aid in the early detection of flares. The study underscores the need for clinicians to consider neuropsychiatric symptoms as significant indicators of autoimmune diseases, preventing misdiagnoses and improving patient care.

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