Refresher course: Lupus Signs and Tests

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Signs and Tests:

The diagnosis of SLE is based upon the manifestations of at least 4

out of 11 typical characteristics of the disease.

Tests to determine the presence of these disease manifestations may

vary, but will include some of the following:

antinuclear antibody (ANA) panel

characteristic skin rash or lesions

chest X-ray showing pleuritis or pericarditis

listening to the chest with a stethoscope to reveal heart friction

rub,or pleural friction rub

urinalysis to show blood, casts, or protein in the urine

CBC showing a decrease in some cell types

kidney biopsy

neurological examination

This disease may also alter the results of the following tests:

WBC count

serum globulin electrophoresis

rheumatoid factor

protein

urine

protein electrophoresis - serum

mononucleosis spot test

ESR

cryoglobulins

Coombs' test

complement component 3 (3C)

antithyroid microsomal antibody

antithyroglobulin antibody

antimitochondrial antibody

anti-smooth muscle antibody