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Systemic Lupus erythematosus

Systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus)

A chronic autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the body's own tissues, affecting skin, joints, kidneys, blood cells, and other organs.

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ARTHRITIS AND MUSCULOSKELETAL AND SKIN DISEASES IDENTIFIERSystemic lupus erythematosusView source record ↗

Overview

EXPLORE BY LEVEL

Lupus is a long-term disease in which the immune system attacks healthy parts of the body. Symptoms come and go and differ from person to person.

Quick Facts

AT A GLANCE
Disease typeSystemic autoimmune disease
DiagnosisClinical features combined with laboratory tests

Follow the Connections

See how Systemic Lupus erythematosus links to other biological records.

Open network
BiomarkerAntinuclear Antibodies (ANA)marker forBiomarkerAnti-dsDNA Antibodiesmarker for
All 2 Structured Connections
Antinuclear Antibodies (ANA) · BiomarkerMARKER FOR →Systemic Lupus erythematosus · Disease
Anti-dsDNA Antibodies · BiomarkerMARKER FOR →Systemic Lupus erythematosus · Disease

Recommended Reading

Trusted references for learning more about Systemic Lupus erythematosus.

guideSystemic Lupus Erythematosus (Lupus)National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases databaseSystemic lupus erythematosusMedlinePlus Genetics guideANA (Antinuclear Antibody) TestMedlinePlus Medical Tests guideAutoantibody TestingMedlinePlus Medical Tests
Research Claims

SLE is heterogeneous, with genetic and environmental contributions. Autoantibodies support classification and diagnosis, but no single antibody is sufficient: ANA is sensitive but not specific, and results are interpreted with clinical findings.

A single autoantibody result is not a diagnosis of lupus. ANA can be positive in healthy people, and an ANA result alone cannot diagnose a specific disease.