SLE is an autoimmune rheumatic disease that principally aVects women in the childbearing years. 1 The prevalence of SLE varies between ethnic groups, being approximately 1: 250 among black women, 1: 1000 in Chinese women and 1: 4300 in white women. SLE aVects the joints, skin and blood in over 80% of patients and the kidneys, central nervous system and cardiopulmonary system in 30%–50% of patients. Between 10% and 30% of patients have anticardiolipin antibodies that are associated with arterial and venous thrombosis. The majority of patients demonstrate systemic manifestations, which may include fatigue, malaise, fever, anorexia, nausea and weight loss.