Development of a claims-based flare algorithm for systemic lupus erythematosus.

Objective: To develop a claims-based algorithm identifying systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) flares using a linked claims-electronic medical record (EMR) dataset.

Methods: This study was a retrospective analysis of linked administrative claims and EMR data spanning 1 January 2003 to 31 March 2019. Included were adult SLE patients with at least 12 months of continuous enrollment in claims data, 12 months of clinical activity in EMR, and an absence of malignancies excluding basal and squamous cell carcinoma.