Diagnosis of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)

Diagnosis of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)

SLE can be hard to diagnose because:

  • Symptoms are like many other health problems
  • There is no test
  • Each person with SLE may have different signs of it

Your doctor may think you have it if you have at least four of these signs:

  • Butterfly rash over your cheeks and nose—a key sign
  • Rashes that can lead to scarring
  • Skin that gets burned easy in the sun
  • Sores in the mouth
  • Joint swelling, pain, and warmth
  • Inflammation of the lining of the heart
  • Seizures or psychosis

Changes in the blood and kidneys may be found through:

Blood Tests

SLE can cause changes in the blood. They differ from person to person, but may be:

  • Having antinuclear antibodies (ANA) that attack your body's cells
  • Signs of inflammation
  • Unusual findings from a blood cell measurement
  • Signs of substances that are normally filtered by the kidneys

Urine Tests

You may have a change in kidney function if you have proteins, blood, or other substances in your urine.

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References:

Guidelines for referral and management of systemic lupus erythematosus in adults. American College of Rheumatology Ad Hoc Committee on Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Guidelines. Arthritis Rheum. 1999;42(9):1785-1796.
How is lupus diagnosed? Lupus Foundation of America website. Available at:
...(Click grey area to select URL)
Accessed September 4, 2018.
Lupus. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases website. Available at:
...(Click grey area to select URL)
Updated June 30, 2016. Accessed August 31, 2018.
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). EBSCO DynaMed Plus website. Available at: http://www.dynamed... . Updated July 20, 2018. Accessed August 31, 2018.
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Merck Manual Professional Version website. Available at:
...(Click grey area to select URL)
Updated February 2018. Accessed August 31, 2018.
Last reviewed May 2018 by EBSCO Medical Review Board Daniel A. Ostrovsky, MD

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