Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, October 25, 1996

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, October 25, 1996

This disease is characterized by a high erythrocyte sedimentation rate (98.5%), fever (90%), joint involvement (70%), facial rash (60%), cardiac involvement (20%), nephritis (85%), liver function abnormalities (40%), pericardial, pleural, and abdominal effusions (20%), hepatomegaly (75%), decreased white blood cells, platelets, and red blood cells (40%), detection of LE cells (30%–50%), positive antinuclear antibody (ANA) (95%), neuropsychiatric symptoms (20%), and elevated serum globulin levels (75%). In short, the clinical features of this disease, ranked by probability of occurrence, include seven common symptoms: high ESR, fever, kidney disease, joint disease, ANA positivity, elevated globulins, and hepatomegaly.