INVESTIGATION OF SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS (SLE)

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune

disease. It can affect nearly every organ system in the body which the symptoms

may vary widely between individuals

By : Nuramalina Yahaya (10-5-257)

STANDARD LABORATORY STUDIES

1. Complete blood count(CBC)• Leukopenia, lymphopenia, anemia,

thrombocytopenia• Prolonged partial activated thromboplastin (aPTT )2. Serum creatinine• Kidney affection3. Urinalysis • Low serum albumin, persistent proteinuria• Red and white cell cast

OTHER LABORATORY TEST

1. ESR or CRP• Elevated due to increase activity of infectious

process2. Complement level• Decrease C3 and C4 in active SLE3. Liver function test• Mildly elevated in acute SLE4. Creatine kinase assay• Increase in myosities and overlap syndromes5. Spot protein / spot creatinine ratio