Table 1

 Revised criteria of the American College of Rheumatology for the classification of SLE (modified from Hochberg, Arthritis Rheum 1997;40:1725–34)

“…a person shall be said to have SLE if four or more of the 11 criteria are present, serially or simultaneously, during any interval of observation.”
1. Malar rash
2. Discoid rash
3. Photosensitivity
4. Oral ulcers
5. Arthritis
6. Serositis
    (a) Pleuritis
    (b) Pericarditis
7. Renal disorder
    (a) Proteinuria >0.5 g/24 h or 3+, persistently
    (b) Cellular casts
8. Neurological disorder
    (a) Seizures
    (b) Psychosis (having excluded other causes—for example, drugs)
9. Haemolytic disorder
    (a) Haemolytic anaemia
    (b) Leucopenia or <4.0×109/l on two or more occasions
    (c) Lymphopenia or <1.5×109/l on two or more occasions
    (d) Thrombocytopenia <100×109/l
10. Immunological disorders
    (a) Raised anti-native DNA antibody binding
    (b) Anti-Sm antibody
    (c) Positive finding of antiphospholipid antibodies based on:
        (i) IgG/M anticardiolipin antibodies
        (ii) Lupus anticoagulant
        (iii) False positive serological test for syphilis, present for at least 6 months
11. Antinuclear antibody in raised titre