How is lupus diagnosed?

There is no simple test for diagnosing lupus. The most widely recognized list of unique symptoms and characteristics for systemic lupus erythematosus was revised in 1997 by the American College of Rheumatology (ACR). Although this classification criteria is not the only way to diagnose lupus, these criteria are often used to “classify” or "diagnose" patients as having systemic lupus erythematosus.


To see the 1982 ACR classification criteria for lupus:
http://www.rheumatology.org/research/classification/sle.html

To see a description of the 1997 classification criteria revision:
http://www.rheumatology.org/research/classification/1982SLEupdate.html


It is important however that the diagnosis of lupus is made by a trained physician. For more information, please see “ Patient Referrals”.

This page is maintained by the UTSW rheumatology department.
Email questions to: mohanlab@utsouthwestern.edu
This page was last modified 3/17/03

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