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Background. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) produces a wide range of symptoms, some of them mild; therefore it may be underdiagnosed. In a pilot study we tested the ability of a screening questionnaire to identify undiagnosed cases in the community. Methods. A 10-item questionnaire was mailed to 3500 women aged 18-65 randomly selected from a general practice list in Birmingham, UK. A random sample of 300 non-respondents were sent two further mailings. Women returning the questionnaire with three positive answers were to attend for an antinuclear antibody (ANA) test; and those testing positive were to be referred to a rheumatologist for standard clinical assessment. Findings. 1153 (30%) of the women responded, and 307 of these gave three or more positive answers on the questionnaire. The survey disclosed three women with previously undiagnosed SLE; and, in addition, it picked up all four of the women whose SLE had been diagnosed previously. Interpretation. The prevalence of SLE revealed by this survey in Birmingham women is 200/100 000 (95% confidence interval 80 to 412), whereas the prevalence of diagnosed SLE in this age group is 54/100 000 (95% CI 47-62). Thus, a substantial number of undiagnosed cases exist, and further work needs to focus on the prevalence in different ethnic groups and the benefits of early diagnosis and treatment.

Original publication

DOI

10.1016/S0140-6736(96)90539-5

Type

Journal article

Journal

Lancet

Publication Date

10/02/1996

Volume

347

Pages

367 - 369