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.