People suffering from SLE or Systematic Lupus Erythematosus usually have various kinds of symptoms and involvement of different organs. Thus one particular test cannot help to diagnose the symptoms of SLE. In order to help the doctors the American Rheumatism Association has laid down 11 different criteria of diagnosing systemic lupus.

A person can only be diagnosed when he or she shows up 4 or more symptoms of lupus disease. Firstly ulcer of the mucous membrane that is the lining of the nose, throat, or mouth. Secondly malar or the “butterfly rash” formed on the cheeks. Third is photosensitivity in which the skin rashes have extreme reaction in the sunlight or ultraviolet light exposure. Fourth is the discoid skin rash which causes scarring. Fifth is arthritis or the swelling of tender joints. Sixth is brain irritation that can be caused due to psychosis or operation. Seventh symptom to diagnose SLE is the swelling of the tissue lining surrounding the lungs or heart accompanied by chest pain caused by changes of body position or breathing. Eighth symptom is kidney abnormalities. Ninth is testing of antinuclear antibody.

Tenth is an abnormality in the blood count. The last criterion is immunologic disorder. In addition to these there are tests like tissue biopsies, blood chemistry test and the direct analysis of internal body fluids to diagnose lupus.