Systemic Lupus Erythematous (SLE) is an autoimmune disease with a worldwide prevalence of 50- 100/100,000. It is a heterogenous disease where manifestations can range from mild disease involving skin and joints to life-threatening organ involvement. It has a significant female predominance with a female:male ratio of almost 10:1. Its prevalence is 3-4 times higher in people of African, Asian and Hispanic ancestry and they tend to develop a more severe disease phenotype. The peak age of disease onset is younger in females than in males and often in childbearing years.
SLE is a chronic disease which is characterised by the production of autoantibodies and deposition of complement, leading to systemic inflammation. Although the pathogenesis of the disease is not fully understood, genetic factors, environmental risks and hormonal influences likely all play a role. Over 30 genetic loci have been associated with SLE, smoking, ultraviolet light and viral infections have been identified as environmental triggers and the female predominance suggests hormones may play a part.
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