Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease that can affect various parts of the body. In SLE, the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue, leading to a wide range of symptoms such as fatigue, joint pain, skin rashes, and fever. The disease course is unpredictable, with periods of flares and remission, making diagnosis and management particularly challenging.

Symptoms of SLE can differ between individuals, times, and domains.
Common presentations include: 

• Skin: UV-sensitive rash across the face.
• Joints: Joint pain, swelling, and stiffness.
• Other symptoms: Fatigue, fever, hair loss, and discomfort.
• Organ issues: Manifestations in the kidneys (lupus nephritis), lungs (pleurisy), heart, brain, as well as other organs.
• Autoimmune Disorder: Both antibody- and immune complex-mediated manifestations drive the immune system to attack healthy cells and tissues.
• Autoantibodies: Presence of anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA) are a hallmark of SLE.
• Chronic Condition: SLE is a life-long disease that may involve periods of illness (flares) and periods of wellness (remission).

• Gender: Women more likely to develop lupus than men.
• Age: Lupus mostly affects people between 15 and 45 years old but can occur in children or older adults.
• Ethnicity: Lupus is more common in Africans, South Asians, and Latin-American people of descent.