Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic, often life-long, autoimmune disease. It can be mild to severe, and affects mostly women. SLE may affect various parts of the body, but it most often manifests in the skin, joints, blood, and kidneys. SLE was first described in 1828. Its very name helps define the disease:

• Systemic is used because the disease can affect organs and tissue throughout the body.
• Lupus is Latin for wolf. It refers to the rash that extends across the bridge of the nose and upper cheekbones and was thought to resemble a wolf bite.
• Erythematosus is from the Greek word for red and refers to the color of the rash.

Lupus has many different symptoms. Common ones include:

• Fatigue
• Joint pain or swelling
• Skin rashes