Systemic lupus erythematosus is a chronic autoimmune disease in which B and T cells lose tolerance to nuclear self-antigens, producing autoantibodies and immune complexes that injure skin, joints, kidneys, blood cells, and the nervous system. Global prevalence sits around 50 to 100 per 100,000, with roughly 3.4 million people affected worldwide and a striking 9-to-1 female-to-male ratio during reproductive years.
Lupus (ICD-10: M32, systemic lupus erythematosus or SLE) is a multisystem autoimmune disease driven by loss of tolerance to nuclear antigens, dysregulated type I interferon signaling, hyperactive B and T cells, immune complex deposition, and complement activation. Clinically, the condition expresses itself across virtually every organ system — skin, joints, kidneys, lungs, heart, blood, and central nervous system — in different combinations and with a relapsing-remitting course. Pathologically, immune complexes of autoantibody plus self-antigen deposit in small vessels and basement membranes, recruiting complement and inflammatory cells. The diagnostic spine is a positive antinuclear antibody, present in around 99 percent of patients, alongside more specific antibodies such as anti-double-stranded DNA, anti-Smith, anti-Ro/SSA, anti-La/SSB, anti-RNP, and antiphospholipid antibodies.
The key symptoms of Lupus are: Persistent fatigue out of proportion to activity, often the most disabling symptom and reported by 80-90 percent of patients across all disease stages., Non-erosive inflammatory arthritis or arthralgia involving small and medium joints symmetrically, with morning stiffness usually under 60 minutes and minimal joint deformity., Malar (butterfly) rash across the cheeks and bridge of the nose sparing the nasolabial folds, often photo-triggered and lasting days to weeks., Discoid skin lesions — disc-shaped scaly plaques that scar, depigment, and most often involve the scalp, ears, and face., Photosensitivity with rash, joint flare, or systemic worsening after ultraviolet exposure, affecting roughly two-thirds of patients., Painless oral or nasal ulcers, typically on the hard palate, that come and go with disease activity., Raynaud phenomenon with cold-triggered tricolor changes (white, blue, red) of the fingers and toes, present in 30-50 percent of patients..
Lupus is a clinical diagnosis supported by serology, not a serology-driven diagnosis. The workup starts with a careful history and examination across the systems most often involved — skin, joints, mucous membranes, kidneys, blood, and nervous system — followed by an antinuclear antibody (ANA) test. The 2019 EULAR/ACR classification criteria require an ANA titer of at least 1:80 on HEp-2 cells as the entry criterion, then sum weighted clinical and immunologic criteria across seven clinical domains and three immunologic domains; a total score of 10 or more classifies a patient as having SLE. Specific antibodies refine the picture: anti-double-stranded DNA correlates with renal disease and tracks flares, anti-Smith is highly specific but present in only 30 percent of patients, anti-Ro/SSA and anti-La/SSB associate with cutaneous lupus and neonatal lupus, anti-RNP marks overlap and mixed connective tissue disease, and antiphospholipid antibodies (lupus anticoagulant, anti-cardiolipin, anti-beta2 glycoprotein I) identify thrombotic risk. Complement levels (C3, C4) and dsDNA titers are followed serially because they fall during active flares, especially renal flares. A complete blood count, comprehensive metabolic panel, urinalysis with sediment, and urine protein-to-creatinine ratio are baseline; persistent proteinuria above 500 mg per day or active urinary sediment triggers renal biopsy to classify lupus nephritis (ISN/RPS Classes I-VI, 2018 revision) and guide induction therapy. Differential considerations include rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren syndrome, undifferentiated connective tissue disease, drug-induced lupus, mixed connective tissue disease, dermatomyositis, fibromyalgia, viral arthritides, and primary antiphospholipid syndrome. A rheumatologist consultation is appropriate whenever ANA is paired with any compatible clinical feature.
Survival in lupus has transformed over six decades. 5-year survival now exceeds 95 percent and 10-year survival is around 90 percent in high-income settings, up from 50 percent at 5 years in the 1950s. Mortality follows a bimodal pattern: early deaths within the first 5 years are driven by active disease (renal failure, neuropsychiatric lupus, infection during heavy immunosuppression), while late deaths beyond 10 years are dominated by accelerated atherosclerosis, cardiovascular events, and infection. Lupus nephritis remains the strongest organ-specific predictor of mortality, with end-stage renal disease developing in 10-30 percent of Class III/IV patients despite treatment. Damage accrual measured by the SLICC Damage Index correlates with steroid cumulative dose, which is the single most modifiable prognostic factor. Long-term hydroxychloroquine, early biologic use in moderate-to-severe disease, aggressive cardiovascular risk management, and tight steroid tapering have moved the curve. Patients with quiescent disease for 5 years on minimal therapy can lead normal lives, work, and have planned pregnancies; pre-pregnancy counseling, switching to azathioprine, and adding low-dose aspirin from 12 weeks markedly reduce preeclampsia and pregnancy loss.
A rheumatologist should be involved at diagnosis and remain the long-term care lead. Specialist referral is essential when ANA is paired with any compatible feature, when renal labs show proteinuria or active sediment, when neuropsychiatric symptoms appear, when pregnancy is planned, when biologic or immunosuppressant therapy is being considered, or when disease is refractory to hydroxychloroquine alone. Co-management with nephrology is standard for lupus nephritis, with maternal-fetal medicine for high-risk pregnancy, and with dermatology for complex cutaneous disease.
Find specialists →Lupus is a chronic relapsing-remitting disease, not an acute illness with a recovery curve. Most flares respond clinically within 2-6 weeks of intensified therapy. Renal response after induction for lupus nephritis is assessed at 6 and 12 months — complete renal response by 12 months is the EULAR 2023 target and the strongest predictor of long-term renal survival. Hydroxychloroquine reaches steady-state effect at 3-6 months. Cutaneous lesions improve over 4-12 weeks with targeted therapy. Drug-induced lupus typically resolves within 4-8 weeks of stopping the offending medication.
Regular low-to-moderate intensity exercise (walking, cycling, swimming, yoga) for 150 minutes weekly improves fatigue, mood, cardiovascular risk, and bone health without aggravating disease. High-intensity training is safe between flares for stable patients. Avoid exercising outdoors at midday without sun protection. During active flares, scale back to gentle range-of-motion work until inflammation settles.
Look for board certification in rheumatology, experience with treat-to-target lupus protocols, comfort with EULAR 2023 recommendations, and access to in-office musculoskeletal ultrasound. Ask whether the practice routinely tracks dsDNA, complement, and urinary protein-to-creatinine ratio at every visit, and whether they have established referral pathways to nephrology for renal biopsy and high-risk obstetrics for pregnancy planning. Continuity matters more than prestige for a disease managed across decades.
Medically reviewed by AIHealz Medical Editorial Board · May 12, 2026
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