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Lupus: Criteria for Diagnosis
Overview
The following criteria are used to distinguish lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus, or SLE) from other autoimmune and rheumatic diseases.
A person with 4 of these 11 conditions can be classified as having lupus. These conditions may be present all at once, or they may appear in succession over a period of time.footnote 1
- Butterfly (malar) rash on cheeks
- Rash on face, arms, neck, torso (discoid rash)
- Skin rashes that result from exposure to sunlight or ultraviolet light (photosensitivity)
- Mouth or nasal sores (ulcers), usually painless
- Joint swelling, stiffness, pain involving two or more joints (arthritis)
- Inflammation of the membranes surrounding the lungs (pleuritis) or heart (pericarditis)
- Abnormalities in urine, such as increased protein or clumps of red blood cells or kidney cells, called cell casts
- Nervous system problems, such as seizures or psychosis, without known cause
- Problems with the blood, such as reduced numbers of red blood cells (anemia), platelets, or white blood cells
- Laboratory tests showing increased autoimmune activity (antibodies against normal tissue)
- Positive antinuclear antibody (ANA) test
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Current as of: July 10, 2023
Author: Healthwise Staff
Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
Current as of: July 10, 2023
Author: Healthwise Staff
Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
