From first symptoms to diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus: mapping the journey of patients in an observational study.

Objectives: Although increased awareness for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has reduced diagnostic delay, the average time from symptom onset to diagnosis is still long, potentially resulting in adverse outcomes. We mapped the journey of lupus patients from onset of symptoms to disease diagnosis.

Methods: We carried out an observational study of 275 SLE patients with disease duration <6 years.

Transition to severe phenotype in systemic lupus erythematosus initially presenting with non-severe disease: implications for the management of early disease.

Objective: Changes in the care of patients with SLE dictate a re-evaluation of its natural history and risk factors for disease deterioration and damage accrual. We sought to decipher factors predictive of a deterioration in phenotype ('transition') in patients initially presenting with non-severe disease.

Methods: Patients from the 'Attikon' cohort with disease duration ≥1 year were included.