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Final Program


Schedule at a Glance
Legend
Program: Scientific Session
General Topic: ARP

Cutting Through the Fog: Understanding Cognitive Dysfunction in Rheumatic Diseases

Tuesday, October 28, 2025
10:00 AM – 11:30 AM Central Time

    Moderator(s)

  • Louise Thoma, PhD, DPT

    University of North Carolina
    Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States

    Disclosure information not submitted.

    • Session Coordinator(s)

  • Matthew Bunyard, MD, RhMSUS

    Cleveland Clinic
    Moreland Hills, Ohio, United States

    Disclosure information not submitted.

This interactive session, co-moderated by a patient partner and an academic researcher, will provide a comprehensive overview of cognitive dysfunction experienced by people with rheumatic disease, with a focus on rheumatoid arthritis, systemic sclerosis, and fibromyalgia. Attendees will be introduced to fundamental dimensions of cognitive functioning (e.g., memory, attention, executive function, and information processing speed) and epidemiological and qualitative data highlighting the prevalence and impact of cognitive dysfunction in people with rheumatic diseases. The session will also describe and present data on underlying multifaceted mechanisms, such as brain functional alterations, inflammation, pain, fatigue, and mental health factors. A critical focus will be on practical strategies for managing cognitive dysfunction, including cognitive rehabilitation, lifestyle modifications, compensatory strategies and psychological support. Additionally, ongoing and future research directions aimed at developing innovative therapies will be discussed. The inclusion of a patient partner as a co-moderator will ensure that lived experiences and challenges are integrated into the conversation, making the session accessible to a diverse audience. By the end of the session, attendees will have a deeper understanding of the complexities of cognitive dysfunction in rheumatic diseases, equipping them with knowledge to empower patient care and self-management.

Learning Objectives:

  • Describe different domains of cognitive dysfunction, their impact on the lives of patients, and subjective and objective ways they may be measured in clinical practice and research
  • Evaluate associations between measures of cognitive dysfunction and other symptoms of rheumatic disease, including pain, fatigue, mental health and sleep, across inflammatory, autoimmune (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, systemic sclerosis) and widespread pain conditions (e.g. fibromyalgia)
  • Appraise different approaches that may be used to treat or manage cognitive dysfunction in people with rheumatic diseases

Presentations:

  • 10:00 AM – 10:10 AM Central Time
    Brain Fog: The Patient’s Perspective

    Speaker: Mary Alore, MBA – Self-employed

  • 10:10 AM – 10:30 AM Central Time
    Conceptual Domains of Cognitive Dysfunction and Their Manifestation in the Daily Lives of People with Fibromyalgia

    Speaker: Daniel Whibley, PhD – University of Michigan

  • 10:30 AM – 11:00 AM Central Time
    Cognitive Dysfunction in Inflammatory Arthritis: What Do We Know from People with Rheumatoid Arthritis?

    Speaker: Patti Katz, PhD – UCSF

  • 11:00 AM – 11:30 AM Central Time
    Brain Fog: Myth or Reality? Insights from Scleroderma Warriors and Strategies for Staying Sharp

    Speaker: Yen Chen, PhD, MS, BS (she/her/hers) – University of Michigan