Could nightmares be a sign of common autoimmune diseases like lupus?

BOSTON – Terrifying nightmares could be an early sign of common autoimmune diseases such as lupus, researchers say.

Lupus is a chronic disease in which the immune system attacks healthy tissues, including the brain. Patients can experience a range of neuropsychiatric symptoms, and researchers at UC Davis and the United Kingdom have found that nightmares and what they call “daytime nightmares” or dream hallucinations that occur during Arousal could signal the onset of autoimmune rheumatic diseases such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis.

In the study, patients reported truly horrific and vivid experiences, like being attacked, chased, run over, or even committing murder. They say these nightmares could serve as a warning that a patient’s condition is about to worsen, which could allow doctors to intervene before additional organ damage occurs.