Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Key points

• much more common in females (F:M = 9:1)
• more common in Afro-Caribbeans* and Asian communities
• onset is usually 20-40 years
• incidence has risen substantially during the past 50 years (3 fold using American College of Rheumatology criteria) Pathophysiology
• autoimmune disease