26th February 2025

Overview of SLE

SLE is a heterogenous multisystem autoimmune (AI) disease resulting in immune complex deposition in various organs. Diagnosis requires clinical findings combined with serology, particularly antinuclear antibodies (ANA).

Women are more commonly affected than men, at a ratio of around 10:1, and onset is usually between puberty and menopause. Certain ethnic groups are at higher risk, including people of African-Caribbean origin and from South America.