Do patients with central nervous system systemic lupus erythematosus (CNS-SLE) demonstrate more cognitive and emotional disturbances than SLE patients without cerebral involvement (non-CNS-SLE) and patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA)? Test results indicated that CNS-SLE patients performed less well on two concentration subtests in comparison with both non-CNS-SLE and RA patients and scored higher on three psychopathology scales (borderline personality symptoms, dysthymic symptoms and psychotic depression). The representativity and reliability of the present results will be discussed.