Clinical features shared by SLE and other inflammatory connective tissue diseases
Clinical features shared by systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and other inflammatory connective tissue diseases include:
- constitutional symptoms (eg fatigue)
- arthralgias
- myalgias
- rash and photosensitivity
- arthritis
- Raynaud phenomenon
- keratoconjunctivitis sicca.
For more details on these features, see Clinical features of inflammatory connective tissue diseases.
Unexplained fever can be associated with active SLE. Coexistent infection must always be actively excluded in patients with SLE and feverAringer, 2019.
Note: Coexistent infection must always be actively excluded in patients with SLE and fever.
If SLE is associated with significant constitutional symptoms, organ involvement is likely, such as lupus nephritis, bone marrow disease or liver disease.